The South Korean film industry, represented by director Bong Joon Ho and actor Moon So-ri, released a forceful statement Friday demanding that President Yoon Suk Yeol be suspended, impeached, and arrested. The statement was signed by 2,518 members of the South Korean film community, endorsed by 77 film organisations, including the Directors Guild of Korea and the Producers Guild of Korea.
The statement is entitled “Remove and Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol, Perpetrator of Rebellion,” against the backdrop of President Yoon‘s recent actions that are being criticised, seeking immediate intervention to restore Korea‘s global reputation and ensure its democratic institutions work properly.
Cinema Industry Accuses President Yoon of Rebellion and Constitutional Violation
This condemnation calls out to Yoon‘s martial law declaration on December 3. Just two and a half hours into it, it was voted down by theNational Assembly. This, according to the filmmakers, was illegal and unconstitutional in comparison with the way things had worked under military dictatorship back then in South Korea.
They underscored that martial law was allegedly supposed to be a warning to opposition parties of the breakdown of governmental systems. The directors characterised the situation as “a scenario that defies even the most imaginative film plots” and argued that President Yoon represents a serious threat to the stability and survival of South Korea‘s democratic republic.
Decline of South Korea‘s Global Cultural Reputation
Besides these political gimmicks, the filmmakers felt that the South Korean culture has been in decline under the administration of President Yoon. They are lamenting that the Korean Wave that brought South Korean cinema and culture to the world has reduced by leaps and bounds. The filmmakers criticised the president of taking singular decisions on cultural policies alone, which they argue are responsible for the budget cutting of significant cultural institutions; for example, the Korean Film Council and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Urgency for Action
The statement called for immediate action, urging that President Yoon be removed from office through impeachment or other legal measures. The signatories emphasised that the political crisis must be addressed swiftly to prevent further damage to the country’s democratic processes and global standing.
Prominent Figures and Signatories
From December 5 to 6, the statement, now endorsed by many big names from South Korean cinema, was left open for signatures. In that list, some are also Bong Joon Ho, who directed Parasite; Moon So-ri; as well as other active film directors including Jeong Ji-young, Byun Young-joo, Yang Ik-june, and Jang Joon-hwan.
The call for his resignation speaks to growing dissatisfaction within South Korea‘s film industry and beyond, raising important questions about the country‘s political future and its place on the global cultural stage.
