President Lee Jae Myung talks with filmmaker Chung Ji-young, third from right, and actors after watching the movie “My Name” at a theater in Seoul, April 15. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae
From a movie about a state massacre to an independent film tackling youth employment, Korea’s top leadership has recently utilized cinema visits as a tool to communicate the current administration’s core values and policy directions.
Over the past few months, President Lee Jae Myung, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young have each made appearances at theaters.
These visits are being interpreted by industry observers as a strategic move to highlight sensitive historical issues and hidden social problems through the lens of popular culture.
On April 15, Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung attended a screening of"My Name"at a theater in Seoul. The drama centers on a mother whose repressed memories of the Jeju April 3 massacre resurface after decades. The tragedy involved a violent state-led crackdown on the island between 1947 and 1954, resulting in the deaths of up to 30,000 residents.
The president had previously promoted the film on social media, describing it as a work that delicately portrays the pain of an era and the process of healing.
To emphasize public engagement, Lee invited 165 citizens to join him through a lottery and remained in his seat until the final credits finished. During a post-screening event, the president stressed that crimes against humanity must be addressed regardless of how much time has passed.
“There is no time limit on accountability for mass killings backed by political power,” Lee said.
He compared the situation to Germany’s ongoing prosecution of Nazi perpetrators, underscoring the need for measures aimed at preventing history from repeating itself. The president also mentioned that the government recently revoked honors previously awarded to figures involved in the Jeju massacre.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, left, watches “The Final Semester” at a theater in Busan, Saturday. Courtesy of the prime minister’s office
Source: Korea Times News
