"The Constitutional Court must immediately dismiss Yoon Suk-yeol."
A coalition of South Korean filmmakers, the Film Industry Emergency Response Alliance, released a video statement on April 1st, urging the Constitutional Court to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol from office. The statement features the names of 1,025 individuals from the film industry, listed as a credit roll.
Notable directors who signed the statement include Chung Ji-young, Lim Soon-rye, Hur Jin-ho, Kim Sung-su (12.12: The Day), Jang Joon-hwan (1987: When the Day Comes), Kim Tae-yong (Wonderland), Jung Ju-ri (Next Sohee), and Lee Yoon-hee (Love in the Big City).
Forty-one actors also participated, including Park Hae-il, Jung Jin-young, Park Hee-bon, Son Soo-hyun, and Jo Eun-ji. Numerous film critics, production staff, writers, and producers joined the movement as well.
The filmmakers stated, "Since the December 3 insurrection, we have demanded the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol to uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Korea." They explained the reason behind the public release of the video statement.
"We have waited patiently, believing in the power of the sovereign people who have protected Korean democracy. We now urge the Constitutional Court to make a rational and just decision and dismiss Yoon Suk-yeol from office," they continued.
The group also emphasized the connection between Korean cinema and the nation's democratic journey: "Korean films have always stood with the history of Korean democracy. The Constitutional Court must remove the impeached President and protect the Constitution."
The video statement includes iconic lines from Korean films that resonate with the current political moment. From Exhuma (2024), they quoted: "Something came out from there. Something terrifying." From Assassination (2015), the line, "But we must let them know… that we are still fighting," was cited.
The statement video was directed by filmmaker Choi Hana, known for her work More Than Family (2020). The footage was created with support from fellow filmmakers and investigative news outlet Newstapa.
