The “Yuk Young-soo Memorial Association” issued a statement regarding the historical distortion controversy surrounding the film “Assassins,” demanding an official apology from the production team and a halt to its screenings. In a statement released on September 29, 2026, the foundation claimed that the film depicts the 1974 shooting of Yuk Young-soo differently from existing investigation and trial records.
This controversy has evolved into a debate about the extent to which fictional films based on actual historical events can be granted creative freedom.
The 1974 shooting incident depicted in the film “Assassins.”
Director Heo Jin-ho’s film “Assassins” is based on the incident that occurred on August 15, 1974, at the National Central Theater in Jangchung-dong, Seoul, during the National Liberation Day celebration. During the shooting aimed at President Park Chung-hee, Mrs. Yook Young-soo was hit by a bullet and died. The perpetrator, Moon Se-gwang, was later sentenced to death.
According to a report by Hankook Ilbo, the investigative headquarters at the time concluded that Mun Se-gwang’s crimes were part of a North Korean operation linked to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, also known as Chongryon. The film uses this incident as its basis, adding fictional characters and settings to create a mystery structure that traces the hidden forces behind the events.
Film settings that the memorial association has raised concerns about
The Yook Young-soo Memorial Association criticized the film for containing content that suggests the possibility that the Korean Central Intelligence Agency or former President Park Chung-hee planned the assassination of the First Lady, thereby distorting the essence of the incident. In particular, the association argued that the film could damage the reputation of the deceased and the honor of her family members by reconstructing an incident that has already undergone investigation and trial with a new political interpretation.
The memorial association demanded an official apology from the production team and cast, and urged an immediate halt to the film’s screenings. Previously, the Park Chung-hee Presidential Memorial Foundation had raised similar concerns, and the controversy has spread to related organizations and the political sphere.
The production team described it as “a work of creation that adds cinematic imagination to historical events.”
The production team rejected the assertion that the film was made either to definitively identify specific individuals or forces as being behind the events or to convey a political agenda. They explained that, although it takes a historical event as its starting point, it is a work of fiction combining facts documented in the historical record with cinematic imagination.
According to an SBS report, the production team stated that while they respect various interpretations and criticisms of the work, it is important not to accept the film’s hypotheses as confirmed historical facts. Director Heo Jin-ho also explained that the focus was on dramatically portraying the remaining questions and gaps surrounding the incident, rather than definitively concluding the matter.
Historical subject films: Creation, responsibility, and emerging issues
The core of this controversy lies in how the film portrays the actual events. While historical dramas based on real events can utilize fictional characters and scenes, there are concerns that when dealing with real people and national tragedies, the filmmakers must carefully design the level of expression and context to prevent the audience from confusing fiction with historical record.
Meanwhile, there is a separate debate about whether screenings of the film itself should be halted due to the questions it raises. It is expected that there will be increasing calls to examine the boundaries between historical facts and dramatic depictions by comparing specific scenes and dialogue from the film with official records and trial materials from that time. The boundary between historical fact and dramatic depiction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why did the Yuk Young-soo Memorial Association demand the suspension of the film “Assassins”?
A. The memorial association claimed that the film depicts the 1974 incident in which Mrs. Yook Young-soo was shot, in a way that differs from existing investigation and trial records, and that it could damage the reputation of the deceased and their family.
Q. What event does the movie “Assassins” depict?
A. This is a mystery thriller inspired by the incident on August 15, 1974, in which Mrs. Yuk Young-soo was shot at the National Central Theater in Jangchung-dong, Seoul.
Q. Is all the content in the movie based on actual historical facts?
A. While the film is based on a real-life incident, it incorporates fictional characters and situations. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between the film’s narrative and the historical record.
Q. How did the production team respond to the allegations of historical distortion?
A. The production team stated that the work is not intended to convey any specific political agenda, but rather is a creative piece that reimagines historical events by adding cinematic imagination.
Q. What is the central issue of this controversy?
The core issue is how to define the boundary between the creative freedom of filmmakers when using historical events as their subject matter and their responsibility in portraying real people and their families.
