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The South Korean film industry is outraged.
Film director Bong Joon Ho along with over 2,500 members of the entertainment industry, have issued a statement calling for the impeachment and arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
On the morning of December 7, the collective group of filmmakers demanding President Yoon's resignation released an urgent statement. A total of 77 organizations, including directors, actors, and students, as well as 2,518 individuals from the film industry, participated.
The following is the full text of the statement:
On the night of December 3, at 10:22 p.m., the sitting president declared martial law, and two and a half hours later, the National Assembly lifted the martial law. Two days have passed since then. The declaration of martial law, which was illegal and unconstitutional; the proclamation of martial law reminiscent of military dictatorship; the lifting of martial law announced three hours after the National Assembly’s resolution, based on the premise that the Cabinet failed to meet quorum — this entire sequence of events raises doubts about whether the administrative system is functioning properly.
Adding to this, on December 4, absurd reports surfaced claiming that the reason for Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law was to send a warning message to the opposition party.
"Is he in his right mind?" "Has he gone mad?" The initial reaction of the majority of citizens who witnessed the declaration of martial law was just that.
Filmmakers are no exception. Something that defies all common sense and something that would seem like mere delusion even with the most cinematic imagination, has become a reality. Any citizen with common sense would naturally arrive at the following conclusion, even before a legal judgment is made: "The greatest threat to the existence of the Republic of Korea is Yoon Suk Yeol, and removing him from the office of president is the most urgent task to protect the democratic republic."
The majority of embassies that have diplomatic relations with South Korea are issuing "danger" warnings to their citizens who are either residing in or visiting South Korea with plans to stay. Despite the lifting of martial law, these warnings remain in place, as the risk factor — Yoon Suk Yeol — has not been resolved.
The global reputation of the so-called Korean Wave (Hallyu), once heavily promoted as a hallmark achievement of the administration, has plummeted. Foreign media, which had previously highlighted the growth of democracy and freedom of expression as the cornerstone of South Korea's cultural and artistic development, are now reporting daily on the nation's declining image and the anticipated drop in visitors. Concerns are also growing among fans worried about the safety of their favorite South Korean "artists." Additionally, reports are surfacing from South Korean citizens claiming they have been denied currency exchange abroad.
The act of trampling on the National Assembly — a constitutional institution — deploying martial law forces to the independent constitutional body — the National Election Commission — and a series of media outlets, and implementing measures by the Martial Law Command to "punish resident doctors who do not return to work," has incited outrage among filmmakers. What further fuels their anger is the restriction of fundamental rights, including Article 3 of the Martial Law Command's proclamation, which states, "All media and publications are subject to the control of the Martial Law Command."
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea does not explicitly use the term "freedom of expression," but it guarantees freedom of conscience, freedom of the press and publication, freedom of assembly and association, and freedom of academic and artistic activities — all collectively referred to as "freedom of expression." In other words, Yoon Suk Yeol effectively "implemented an unconstitutional blacklist" in the dead of night.
Apart from reports that a sitting inspector of the Ministry of Justice immediately resigned, stating that they "could not accept martial law," there has been no indication of any other sitting Cabinet member intending to resign in opposition or taking action to protect the people's right to life against the illegal imposition of martial law. The operation of the blacklist, carried out soullessly under orders and commands, has been unequivocally proven to be both baseless and deceptive, exposing the falsity of its seemingly plausible justifications.
During Yoon Suk Yeol's presidency, filmmakers have consistently pointed out the lack of impartiality and fairness in the unilateral approach of the government's film budget plans. The budget proposals of the Korean Film Council and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, which are authorized by law, were derailed by Yoon's high-handed actions. If attempts to impeach opposition-appointed Cabinet members and budget-related disputes are the grounds for martial law, then the real anti-state force is none other than Yoon Suk Yeol himself.
Public officials with a conscience must ask themselves: Since the establishment of democracy, has there ever been anyone like Yoon, who has dominated the Ministry of Economy and Finance and all government agencies, arbitrarily allocating budgets as he pleases?
The foremost prerequisite for overcoming the current chaotic situation and restoring South Korea's tarnished reputation is to suspend Yoon Suk Yeol from performing his duties as president.
If impeachment is the quickest route, it must be pursued; if there is another way to remove him, the fastest way should be found. The arrest and punishment of Yoon Suk Yeol — exposed to the entire nation during a live broadcast as a criminal caught in the act of treason — as well as those of the Minister of Defense and other martial law forces, is an indisputable and non-negotiable course of action.
I warn the People Power Party lawmakers obsessed with political maneuvering to regain power. The only way for South Korea to survive is to immediately halt the presidential duties of Yoon Suk Yeol, the biggest danger to the nation and the leader of this rebellion, whose actions are beyond reason and control. People will decide who will govern this nation. Choose whether you will go down in history as an accomplice in the act of treason or as a politician who prioritizes the lives and safety of the people above all else.
To the film industry of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol is no longer the president. He is merely a criminal caught in the act of treason.
Suspend Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential duties without delay, remove him from office, and arrest him!
