Police said Tuesday they have placed actor Yoo Hae-jin under protection following escalating threats over a film he starred in that has drawn intense backlash over alleged historical distortion. Seoul Seongbuk Police Station has provided Yoo with a smartwatch and registered him on the emergency 112 system, while stepping up patrol around his residence, officials said. The measures, however, do not include assigning a dedicated officer to the actor. A police official said protective measures can be taken if there are reasons to anticipate potential harm. Yoo has faced criticism from conservatives over his role in "The Assassin(s)," a movie depicting the 1974 assassination of then first lady Yuk Young-su, wife of late former President Park Chung-hee. Conservative groups are strongly criticizing the movie for allegedly implying Park's involvement in his wife's death, rather than the assassin, Moon Se-kwang, who was held accountable for the shooting. Conservative civic groups have staged protests outside Yoo's home in northern Seoul, demanding the movie be pulled from theaters and calling for