Christian Liberty Party Reports "North Korean Agitation, Praise, and Glorification Drama"
"Caution Needed When Handling North Korean Drama Themes"
"Just a Melodrama Starring Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin"
Mixed Reactions from Citizens
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The Christian Liberty Party (Liberty Party) has filed a complaint with the prosecution against the production team of the drama "Crash Landing on You" for glorifying the North Korean regime, sparking controversy surrounding the issue.
While some netizens agree with the Liberty Party's opinion that the drama glorifies North Korea, there are also citizens who find it incomprehensible.
On the 21st, the police received the case from the prosecution in which the Liberty Party filed a complaint against the tVN drama "Crash Landing on You" producer and others for violating the National Security Act (NSA), and are currently investigating.
On the 8th, the Liberty Party stated in a press release, "'Crash Landing on You' ranked first in viewership ratings across all channels including terrestrial broadcasting during the same time slot, and ranked first among female viewers of all ages across all channels," adding, "North Korean language terms are appearing in real-time search keywords on portals, and posters or murals showcasing North Korea's unique culture are emerging as design elements. One media outlet even described this as a 'Bukppong fantasy'."
They continued, "The North Korean General Political Bureau Chief, who orders missile launches to destroy the Republic of Korea, is merely a charismatic soldier and the father of Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin). The North Korean enemy aiming guns and knives at us no longer exists, and only the peacekeeping soldiers protecting Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) exist in the Republic of Korea," they pointed out.
They added, "We must not praise or sympathize with anti-state organizations that threaten the existence of the Republic of Korea," stating, "This is specified in Article 7, Paragraph 1 of the National Security Act, and we have protected the Republic of Korea from the North Korean enemy until now. We must not forget the '46 Cheonan Ship Heroes' who rest in the sea near Baengnyeongdo while protecting the Republic of Korea."
Citizens' reactions are divided over the Liberty Party's complaint accusing the drama featuring North Korean soldiers of violating the National Security Act.
A man in his early 40s, A, who recently watched the drama, said, "Although I understand that it is a drama and lacks realism, it seems that teenagers and people in their 20s might develop a kind of fantasy about North Korea."
He added, "Considering that the drama is about North Korea, a divided country, I hope it is produced more carefully."
On the other hand, there are opposing views. B, a man in his mid-30s, said, "A drama is nothing more or less than a drama," and "I don't understand which part violates the law." He emphasized, "This drama is just a melodrama starring Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin."
Meanwhile, a Liberty Party official told Asia Economy on the 21st, "The Christian Liberty Party's position remains unchanged. As stated in the press release, the drama glorifies North Korea and there is a suspicion of violating the National Security Act." However, he added, "We do not judge that Son Ye-jin, Hyun Bin, and others appearing in the drama acted with the intent to praise North Korea or violated the National Security Act. We only filed a complaint against the drama production team."
Below is the full text of the press release
Cable broadcaster tvN produced a weekend drama titled "Crash Landing on You," which first aired on December 19, 2019. The drama's overall storyline is "an absolute secret romance between Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin), a chaebol heiress who crash-lands in North Korea due to a paragliding accident caused by a sudden gust of wind, and Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin), a North Korean officer who hides and protects her."
"Crash Landing on You" ranked first in viewership ratings across all channels including terrestrial broadcasting during the same time slot, and ranked first among female viewers of all ages across all channels. North Korean language terms are appearing in real-time search keywords on portals, and posters or murals showcasing North Korea's unique culture are emerging as design elements. One media outlet even described this as a "Bukppong fantasy."
There is no longer anyone who calls North Korea the main enemy.
The president cannot call North Korea the main enemy, and the North Korean leader has become a "partner for peaceful unification," receiving applause from the president. Those who shout the National Security Act to protect the Republic of Korea are branded as anti-peace activists. The North Korean General Political Bureau Chief, who orders missile launches to destroy the Republic of Korea, is merely a charismatic soldier and the father of Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin). The North Korean enemy aiming guns and knives at us no longer exists, and only the peacekeeping soldiers protecting Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) exist in the Republic of Korea.
Therefore, the Christian Liberty Party warns the Moon Jae-in administration and tvN.
"North Korea is the main enemy of the Republic of Korea, and they cannot be glorified for any reason."
We must not praise or sympathize with anti-state organizations that threaten the existence of the Republic of Korea. This is specified in Article 7, Paragraph 1 of the National Security Act, and we have protected the Republic of Korea from the North Korean enemy until now. We must not forget the "46 Cheonan Ship Heroes" who rest in the sea near Baengnyeongdo while protecting the Republic of Korea. North Korea has never lowered its guns aimed at us. However, due to the president and broadcasters who cannot distinguish the enemy, the people have been incited, and the Republic of Korea is at risk of being trampled under the name of "peaceful unification."
Finally, the Christian Liberty Party remembers God's plan established for the Republic of Korea. The threats to the Republic of Korea, founded on Christian spiritual leadership, were the false agitators hiding behind the name of "peaceful unification" and North Korea. Accordingly, the Christian Liberty Party has filed a complaint against the tvN broadcaster, and hopes that the prosecution will promptly investigate and strictly punish the false agitators who praise and encourage anti-state organizations that pose a real threat to the Republic of Korea.
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