During the 2026 National Assembly Education Committee hearing held on October 7, Rep. Jeong Seong-guk of the People Power Party raised concerns about the new film 'Assassins' directed by Hur Jin-ho. He warned that if young people accept media and cinematic fiction uncritically, they risk adopting distorted historical views and falling for false conspiracy theories. Jeong specifically targeted the education authorities' media literacy programs and the management of group viewings.
Jeong displayed a PowerPoint presentation in the hearing room, highlighting the word '들' (meaning 'ones') in parentheses after 'Assassins' in the film's title. He criticized this as an implication that there are other assassins beyond the actual shooter, suggesting an intention to promote conspiracy theories.
He emphasized that the real assassin, Moon Se-gwang, was a terrorist who acted under the influence of pro-North Korean groups, a fact corroborated by diplomatic documents released by the government in January 2005. Despite Moon's remorse for being misled by these groups, Jeong argued that the film leaves the impression that the tragic event could have been a fabrication by former President Park Chung-hee and the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, thus promoting a 'third-rate conspiracy theory.'
Jeong cited a recent incident at a high school in Ulsan, where a planned group viewing was canceled after backlash from students' votes. He cautioned against schools pushing for viewings based solely on student preferences. In response, Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin acknowledged the media's impact on students, stating, "When works are based on historical facts but include fictional elements, there is a significant risk that students may confuse fact and fiction. It is essential to guide them in distinguishing between the two."
However, Jeong reiterated that using a national tragedy, such as the assassination of a first lady, as a film subject to spread conspiracy theories poses a grave risk of misleading students into believing fiction as truth. He referenced a statement from the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, which expressed serious concern that blending confirmed historical events and real figures with cinematic imagination could distort historical understanding among youth. Jeong questioned whether the Education Ministry should take a more active role in overseeing group viewings.
Choi agreed that the concerns raised by the teachers' association were valid but noted the practical limitations of the ministry intervening in individual school decisions regarding group viewings.
After hearing Choi's response, Jeong pointed out that the ministry's work plan includes helping students critically understand and discern digital media content. He pressed whether the ministry has achieved effective educational outcomes in this area, particularly regarding films, news, and conspiracy theories on platforms like YouTube.
At this point, Rep. Kang Kyung-sook of the Justice Party interrupted, asserting that the National Assembly is not a film censorship committee. She criticized the opposition for mobilizing against a single film, stating, "It is inappropriate to make arguments akin to film censorship during a National Assembly hearing."
As tensions rose in the hearing, Kim Hee-jung, the chair of the Education Committee from the People Power Party, intervened, warning that shouting during another member's questioning time violates principles. She advised that if there are opposing views, they should be expressed during the member's own questioning time. Kim cautioned, "If disruptions continue, it will be difficult to remain in the hearing room; if necessary, go to the Legal Affairs Committee."
In response, Rep. Kim Jun-hyuk of the Democratic Party acknowledged the chair's authoritative management but requested a calmer approach to ensure a proper audit could proceed.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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