19 Organizations' Statement: "No Qualification as Head of State"
On the 4th, a citizen is watching a news report related to the martial law situation in the waiting room of Seoul Station. Photo by Yonhap News
The 'Film Industry Crisis Overcome Film Workers' Solidarity' (hereinafter Film Workers' Solidarity), composed of film organizations, called for the resignation of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who declared martial law for the first time in 45 years.
The Film Workers' Solidarity, launched by 19 film organizations, stated in a declaration on the 5th, "The declaration of martial law on December 3 was an unforgettable terrible nightmare for all citizens," adding, "We spent nights filled with anger and fear, recalling the past dictatorship when freedom of expression was suppressed." They demanded President Yoon's resignation, saying, "President Yoon, who plunged the people's freedom and safety into an abyss and caused humiliation, no longer deserves to be the head of state and the head of the executive branch of the Republic of Korea."
The group said, "All the instigators and collaborators of the martial law must be thoroughly investigated to the end, and even the slightest wrongdoing must be strictly held accountable and punished," and added, "We will fight to the end to ensure that the freedom of expression that blossomed Korean cinema is not suppressed."
On the night of the 4th, martial law troops are entering the main building of the National Assembly in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
The Film Workers' Solidarity was established by the Korea Art House Cinema Association, the Korean Cinematographers Guild (CGK), the Korean Producers Guild (PGK), the Korean Film Makers Association, the Korean Actors Guild, the Korean Directors Guild (DGK) Board, the Korea Video Media Education Association, the Korean Scenario Writers Guild (SGK), the Korean Independent Film Association, the Korean Independent Animation Association, the Community Cinema Network Social Cooperative, the Regional Film Network, the National Film Industry Labor Union, the National Independent Film Theater Network, the Film Festival Policy Group, the Film Importers and Distributors Association, the Women Filmmakers' Group, the Busan Film Workers' Solidarity, and the Korean branch of the International Federation of Film Critics.
President Yoon declared the lifting of martial law at around 4:27 a.m. on the 4th at the Yongsan Presidential Office and announced, "The troops deployed for martial law have been withdrawn." This came six hours after the declaration of martial law at around 10:25 p.m. the previous night.
Full Statement from Film Workers' Solidarity
We will fight to protect democracy and
freedom of expression in the Republic of Korea.
The declaration of martial law on December 3 was an unforgettable terrible nightmare for all citizens. Martial Law Proclamation No. 1 threatened that "all media and publications shall be subject to the control of the martial law command." We spent nights filled with anger and fear, recalling the past dictatorship when freedom of expression was suppressed.
After the declaration of martial law, which was said to protect liberal democracy, the first places the martial law troops raided were the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the National Election Commission. All power comes from the people. Those who trampled on the National Assembly and the people's right to vote are anti-state forces and subversive elements.
President Yoon Seok-yeol must resign immediately.
President Yoon Seok-yeol, who plunged the people's freedom and safety into an abyss and caused humiliation, no longer deserves to be the head of state and the head of the executive branch of the Republic of Korea.
The National Assembly must impeach Yoon Seok-yeol immediately.
The martial law of December 3, which allowed the Korean military to trample on the National Assembly, is an unconstitutional act and not a matter for political dispute. The National Assembly must immediately impeach President Yoon Seok-yeol regardless of party lines to protect liberal democracy and ensure national security.
Strongly punish the instigators and collaborators of martial law.
The unresolved legacy of the past returns like a ghost. All instigators and collaborators of martial law must be thoroughly investigated to the end, and even the slightest wrongdoing must be strictly held accountable and punished.
We fought to abolish the pre-screening system of scripts and film censorship last century and won freedom of expression. We will fight to the end to ensure that the freedom of expression that blossomed Korean cinema is not suppressed.
December 5, 2024
Film Industry Crisis Overcome Film Workers' Solidarity
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