Jeon-gyo-jo "Accusations Themselves Are Defamation" Criticism
Conservative groups protested and filed complaints against the film 'Seoul Spring,' which depicts the 12·12 military coup and is on the verge of surpassing 10 million viewers, prompting teacher organizations to criticize the backlash.
According to the education sector on the 21st, on the 13th, a middle school in Mapo-gu, Seoul, held a group viewing of 'Seoul Spring.' The school allowed students to choose another film to watch as well.
On the 44th anniversary of the December 12 military coup, the film "Spring in Seoul," which is based on the December 12 military coup, is being screened at a movie theater in Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
Following this, members of conservative groups, including those from the conservative YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, visited the school to stage protests. The conservative groups claimed that 'Seoul Spring' "incites students and instills a distorted sense of history," urging schools not to hold group viewings.
Earlier this month, an elementary school in Songpa-gu, Seoul, also planned a group viewing of 'Seoul Spring' but canceled the schedule following protests from some conservative groups. It is also reported that several conservative groups filed complaints against schools that held group viewings of the film.
The Practical Education Teachers' Association issued a statement on the 16th condemning the protests by conservative groups. The association expressed "strong concern over the current situation, which fundamentally infringes on teachers' educational rights as a method to enforce far-right historical views."
According to the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, a conservative group called the Liberty Korea Patriotic Corps recently filed a criminal complaint with the prosecution against the principal of a school in Yongsan-gu that held a group viewing of 'Seoul Spring' for 'abuse of authority,' and against an executive of the Practical Education Teachers' Association who issued a related statement for 'defamation.'
On the 20th, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union released a statement saying, "The intention to escalate historical facts into political strife must stop immediately," and criticized, "Even mentioning or logically refuting such acts is just a waste of time."
They added, "The 12·12 incident is an important historical fact included in the regular curriculum, and helping students make their own judgments is a natural choice for schools," urging, "Instead of wasting national administrative resources on complaints, humbly accept the people's choice."
The union pointed out, "The act of filing excessive complaints is itself defamation and social noise," and stated, "They held rallies condemning group viewings in front of specific schools, encouraged protest calls by publicly revealing the names of schools that held group viewings, and crossed the line by mentioning dirty 'leftist' education." They reiterated, "Instead of wasting national administrative resources on unnecessary complaints, humbly accept the people's choice."
Released on the 22nd of last month, 'Seoul Spring' dramatizes the 12·12 military coup that occurred in December 1979. The film portrays the tense nine hours aimed at stopping the rebellion by the new military forces in the capital Seoul. Actor Hwang Jung-min plays Jeon Du-hwan, inspired by Chun Doo-hwan, and Jung Woo-sung portrays Lee Tae-shin, the commander of the Capital Security Command.
According to the Korea Film Council's integrated ticket sales system, 'Seoul Spring' had accumulated 9,319,489 viewers as of the 20th. The film gained popularity as viewers shared their heart rate and stress index before and after watching the movie on social media through challenges like the 'Heart Rate Challenge' and 'Anger Challenge,' turning the viewing experience into a kind of game.
Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok also watched 'Seoul Spring' with senior officials of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 17th. Prosecutor General Lee stated, "We must not forget that the democracy we enjoy was hard-won through the sacrifices and efforts of all the people."
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