A criminal defamation complaint against the producers of the film "Assassins" has been assigned to the Jongno Police Station in Seoul, as controversy over the movie continues. Ko Beom-seok, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said police will respond firmly if any crimes against the film's actors are confirmed.
"The case has been assigned to the Jongno Police Station, and we plan to question the complainant in line with procedure," Ko said at a regular press briefing on Oct. 6. "We will take firm action under the law on matters such as harm or threats directed at the actors who appeared in the film."
Lee Jong-bae, a former Seoul city council member of the People Power Party, filed a criminal complaint with police on Sept. 29 against four members of the production team, including Kim Won-kuk, head of production company Hive Media Corp., and director Hur Jin-ho, on charges of defaming the bereaved family through false statements. The complaint reportedly argues that by using the plural form "Assassins" rather than the singular "Assassin" in the title, the filmmakers implied that assassins other than Mun Se-gwang may have been involved.
No complaint has been filed by the bereaved family, including Park Ji-man, the son of former President Park Chung-hee and his wife Yuk Young-soo. Defamation of the dead is an offense that can be prosecuted only on complaint, meaning charges cannot be brought without a complaint from a bereaved family member or descendant. Police are therefore expected not to apply the charge of defaming the deceased former president in the course of their investigation.
Ko also addressed the controversy surrounding the actors who appeared in the film. Referring to a protest by a conservative group held outside the actors' homes, he said the rally "ended without any illegal acts," but added, "Threats or intimidation directed at the actors will of course be met with firm action under the law."
On Oct. 4, members of a conservative group held a rally outside the home of lead actor Yoo Hae-jin, demanding that screenings be halted and that the production team and cast apologize. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young said he had asked police to provide safety measures for those involved in the film and its actors, and to strictly enforce the law against threats and intimidation outside their residences.
