Teachers' federation raises concerns over 'The Assassin' amid history distortion debate

The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations has expressed concern that the film "The Assassin" could instill a distorted view of history in young viewers.

The federation urged the filmmakers to provide sufficient explanation to help audiences distinguish historical fact from cinematic fiction, and called on education authorities to develop relevant teaching materials and standards.

"Freedom of creative expression must be respected, but its educational impact on students cannot simply be brushed aside with the phrase 'it's just a movie,'" the federation said Tuesday.

At the center of the federation's concern is the film's portrayal of the 1974 shooting of first lady Yuk Young-soo. The federation said the film raises the possibility that the Korean Central Intelligence Agency was behind the incident and implies that then-President Park Chung-hee ordered his wife's killing to escape political pressure. It warned that "the line between confirmed facts, unverified allegations and cinematic imagination could become blurred."

The federation also expressed concern that students still building their knowledge of historical context may accept the film's hypotheses as actual history. It said the more the production emphasizes its basis in real events and records, the greater the obligation to help audiences tell fact from fiction.

"The filmmakers must take responsible steps — including providing explanations and guidance — to reduce such confusion," the federation said, adding that media literacy education should be strengthened so students can judge for themselves the accuracy of information presented in media.

The federation also proposed that schools planning group screenings make separate educational preparations. It said teachers should conduct prior reviews rather than judging a film's suitability solely by student preference or age rating, and should provide guidance on distinguishing fact from fiction as well as facilitate post-screening discussions.

The federation urged education authorities to supply classroom materials grounded in historical sources and to protect teachers from undue complaints and political pressure. Some schools have recently organized group screenings of "The Assassin."

"What children need is not a version of history that shifts depending on one's political camp, but a history education that teaches facts as facts and enables them to form sound judgments on their own," federation Chairman Kang Ju-ho said. "The Ministry of Education and district education offices must carefully examine the educational impact of this film, and must not apply different standards of concern and responsibility based on who the audience is."