Protests spread to Burger King HQ over actor Yoo Hae-jin's role in 'The Assassin'

As controversy over the film "The Assassin" continues to grow, conservative groups staged a rally outside the Seoul headquarters of Burger King in Jongno-gu, criticizing lead actor Yoo Hae-jin — who serves as a brand model for the chain — along with Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young.

The groups Shinyulyeondae and Bellado chanted slogans at the rally including "Boycott 'The Assassin,'" "Yoo Hae-jin and Burger King are accomplices," and "Boycott Burger King." They also called on Burger King to terminate its advertising contract with Yoo.

Shinyulyeondae claimed the group had held a peaceful protest and that Yoo had not even been at his home, arguing no threats had been made against the actor. It accused Minister Choi of spreading false information by suggesting the group had threatened Yoo, saying the minister had "seriously damaged the organization's reputation."

The group said it filed a complaint against Choi that morning with the Seoul District High-Ranking Officials Crime Investigation Agency on charges of defamation through false statements.

Members of the conservative groups had earlier held a rally outside Yoo's home Sunday, demanding the film be pulled from cinemas and calling for an apology from the cast and crew.

The following day, Monday, Minister Choi announced via SNS that she had asked the Korean National Police Agency and other authorities to strictly enforce the law against what she described as excessive harassment of the actors in "The Assassin" by some conservative groups.

Shinyulyeondae also warned that if Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Ko Beom-seok — who said he would respond firmly to any threatening behavior targeting the actors — were to form a personal protection team for them, the group would file a complaint against him on charges of abuse of authority.

Bellado said it would verify "through what process and on what legal basis" the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and related agencies had become involved in the matter. It added that if objective evidence of unlawful conduct were found, it would "take lawful steps including filing complaints with investigative agencies and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials."

The film is based on the Aug. 15, 1974 shooting of Yuk Young-soo, and controversy has grown since its opening after conservative commentators raised allegations that it distorts historical facts. The production team said in response that the film "was not made to newly establish any particular historical conclusion or to deny or distort existing facts."