Korean teachers' group criticises film 'Assassins' over history distortion concern
In short
The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (교총) issued a statement on Oct. 6 saying the film “암살자(들)” (“Assassins”) blurs the line between confirmed facts, unverified suspicions and cinematic imagination, and could give young people a distorted view of history. The union also said it was concerned about reports that some schools had pushed group viewings of the film, and called on the Education Ministry and education offices to examine its educational impact.
Read the full story 2 min read
The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (교총) said on Oct. 6 that the film “암살자(들)” could give young people a distorted view of history, joining criticism of the film. In a statement, the union said the film deals with real historical events and real people while blurring the boundary between confirmed facts, unverified suspicions and cinematic imagination. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to Yonhap, the film deals with the shooting death of former first lady Yuk Young-soo. [ 3 ]
The union said freedom of creation and expression must be respected, but that the educational influence on students cannot be waved away with the phrase “a film is just a film”. It said students who are still building historical background knowledge and critical judgment should not be seen as unlikely to take the film's hypotheses and dramatic settings as actual history. [ 3 ]
Referring to recent controversy over some schools pushing group viewings of the film, 교총 said such trips are educational activities and should respect students' choices while also including prior review of the work, guidance distinguishing historical fact from fiction and post-viewing discussion. [ 3 ]
The union also raised the June case in which Baejae High School baseball players were disciplined after chanting slogans disparaging the May 18 Democratization Movement during a game against Gwangju Ilgo. It said that if students were held to a standard of correct historical awareness for those remarks, historical expression in the popular culture students encounter should be judged by the same principle. [ 3 ]
교총회장 강주호 said what students need is not a history that differs by political camp but history education that teaches facts as facts and lets students judge for themselves. He called on the Education Ministry and education offices to closely examine the film's educational impact and said the standard for concern and responsibility over historical awareness should not differ according to the target. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The intervention by a large teachers' association puts pressure on schools and education authorities over whether and how the film is shown to students. Because 교총 frames the issue as one of historical awareness in education rather than film criticism alone, its call for a review by the Education Ministry and education offices may shape school screening decisions. The documents give no indication of any response yet from the film's makers or from education authorities.
Key facts
- The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (교총) said in a statement on Oct. 6 that the film “암살자(들)” could plant a distorted historical awareness in young people. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The union said the film deals with real historical events and real people while blurring the boundary between confirmed facts, unverified suspicions and cinematic imagination. [ 3 , 4 ]
- According to Yonhap, the film deals with the shooting death of former first lady Yuk Young-soo. [ 3 ]
- 교총 said freedom of creation and expression should be respected, but that the educational effect on students cannot be dismissed with the phrase “a film is just a film”. [ 3 ]
- On reports that some schools had pushed group viewings, the union said such trips should include prior review of the work, guidance separating historical fact from fiction and post-viewing discussion. [ 3 ]
- The union cited the June case in which Baejae High School baseball players were disciplined after chanting slogans disparaging the May 18 Democratization Movement during a game against Gwangju Ilgo. [ 3 ]
- 교총회장 강주호 called on the Education Ministry and education offices to closely examine the film's educational impact and said students need history education that teaches facts as they are, not history that shifts with political camps. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the film has been released and where it is being shown. The documents do not give the film's release date, distributor or current screenings.
- The full content of the Newsis report on the union's statement. The article text carried under the Newsis headline covers an unrelated National Assembly audit of the Supreme Court, so only its headline can be used for this event.
- Any response from the film's makers or from the Education Ministry and education offices. No such reaction is reported in any of the documents.