{
  "id": 12802613,
  "title": "Korean filmmakers urge politicians to let audiences judge amid 'The Assassin(s)' row",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/korean-filmmakers-urge-politicians-to-let-audiences-judge-amid-the-12802613",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T05:57:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261008004700315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Busan, October 8, saw a group of prominent Korean directors and industry leaders urge politicians to refrain from politicizing the historical film, *The Assassin(s)*, amid controversy over its historical inaccuracy. The statement, released at a press conference in Busan, the host city for the ongoing Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), stated that audiences, not politicians, should be the ones to judge the movie. The directors, including Chung Ji-young and Lee Myung-se, expressed concern over the situation where the evaluation of the film is being used as a means for political feuds. They warned against presuming the intention of a film without fully watching it and holding directors, actors, and production companies accountable, as such an attitude could stifle creative freedom. The call for restraint came a day after the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) confirmed that its plan to screen *The Assassin(s)* at the upcoming film fest remains unchanged. SGIFF organizers stated that the decision to include the film was based on its artistic merit and that it was chosen through an independent process. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) had recently sent an official letter to SGIFF, demanding the withdrawal of the film from the event. The filmmakers responded to this action, calling for more caution when bringing a domestic political issue to a foreign film festival and emphasizing that the ultimate decision on how audiences will accept a film lies with them. *The Assassin(s)*, set during the 1974 assassination attempt on South Korean President Park Chung-hee that led to the death of the first lady, has been criticized mainly by conservatives. This backlash has resulted in the cancellation of related events at this year's BIFF.",
  "summary": "BUSAN, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- Renowned Korean directors and film industry officials ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korean filmmakers urge politicians to let audiences judge amid 'The Assassin(s)' row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/korean-filmmakers-urge-politicians-to-let-audiences-judge-amid-the",
        "published": "2026-10-08T06:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}