Culture minister denounces protest at actor's home as threat to democracy
South Korea’s culture minister demanded police protection for the cast of "The Assassin(s)" after conservative protesters gathered outside lead actor Yoo Hae-jin’s residence.
Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young publicly condemned a protest outside actor Yoo Hae-jin’s house, labeling the intimidation of the film’s cast and crew as an assault on democracy and ordering police protection. Roughly 50 activists from conservative civic groups gathered in Seoul’s Seongbul-gu, demanding the historical thriller "The Assassin(s)" cease screening and that its participants apologize. The movie, directed by Hur Jin-ho, depicts a 1974 assassination attempt on former President Park Chung-hee that resulted in the death of first lady Yuk Young-soo.
While officials affirmed the right to critique the film, they warned that targeting individuals crosses a legal line. The backlash forced Hive Media Corp to cancel its second-week promotional tour and led the Busan International Film Festival to withdraw scheduled appearances by the director and actors. A coalition of 19 film-industry organisations also issued a statement urging the public to keep the debate focused on the work, not on personal safety.
