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On December 11, 2024, Sports Chosun reported that the South Korean film Firefighters, directed by Kwak Kyung-taek, became a focal point of political debate after revelations that the director’s brother, Kwak Kyu-taek, is reportedly affiliated with President Yoon Suk-yeol’s conservative People Power Party (PPP).
Kwak Kyu-taek is a former prosecutor who was elected as the representative for Busan’s Seo-dong district for the conservative People Power Party (PPP) in March 2024. He received public criticism after President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment vote failed on December 7, 2024, as PPP's 108 members walked out of the ongoing voting session to stop the vote.
Firefighters chronicled the 2001 Hongje-dong fire catastrophe, emphasizing the valor and sacrifices made by first responders. The film was delayed for four years because of COVID-19 and the DUI controversy involving its star actor, Kwak Do-won. Additionally, Firefighters, which was released in theaters on December 4, was criticized by Korean netizens for its authoritarian themes.
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Sports Chosun reported on December 11 that Firefighters’ promotional material celebrated duty and hierarchy within emergency services, which some interpret as a subtle endorsement of authoritarian ideals. While the filmmakers deny any political motivations, the director’s family connection to Yoon Suk-yeol’s party has fueled suspicions.
The cast of Firefighters includes Lee Joon-hyuk, Joo Won, Kwak Do-won, Lee Yoo-young, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Min-jae, Oh Dae-hwan, and Jang Young-nam.
South Korea's controversial martial law crisis and public reaction lead to reported boycott of Firefighters
On December 11, 2024, Sports Chosun reported that the controversy surrounding Firefighters coincided with the aftermath of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s highly criticized martial law declaration earlier this month.
The controversy surrounding Firefighters adds another layer to this political drama, highlighting the intersection of culture and politics in South Korea. With ongoing public dissatisfaction and protests calling for Yoon Suk-yeol’s resignation, the situation remains volatile.
On December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk-yeol abruptly invoked martial law, citing national security threats, including pro-North Korean groups. However, no substantial evidence was presented to justify the move.
Parliament forced the president to overturn the declaration hours later at 4:27 AM on December 4. This led to protests, widespread public outrage, and an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol by opposition lawmakers.
The impeachment vote ultimately failed to garner the two-thirds majority needed for passage. The opposition only managed to get 192 votes, while the rest of the 108 members were from the People Power Party (PPP), including director Kwak Kyung-taek's brother. Al Jazeera reported that the PPP members staged a walkout while the voting was in session to reject the president's impeachment.
The martial law declaration caused chaos in South Korea, with troops temporarily attempting to prevent parliamentary votes to overturn the order. Protests erupted across the country, including candlelight vigils reminiscent of the 2016–2017 demonstrations that led to the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye.
South Korean citizens and the opposition parties accused President Yoon Suk-yeol of abusing his authority to suppress dissent. President Suk-yeol defended the declaration, claiming it was necessary to protect South Korea’s constitutional order.
On December 2, The Korea Times reported that President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval ratings were already at a historic low of 25%. On December 9, Investing News reported that his rating plummeted an additional 17.33%. The recent controversy has reignited memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past.
Although President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a formal apology on December 7, hours before his impeachment vote, and pledged not to declare martial law again, the fallout continued. Key members of his administration, including Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, have resigned, and investigations are underway into the roles of military officials in the crisis.
Martial law was last considered during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in December 2016. The Defense Security Command (DSC) authorized 200 tanks, 550 armored vehicles, 4,800 soldiers, and 1,400 special forces soldiers (SDT, UDT, etc.) to enforce the martial law to suppress protests in case Park Geun-hye's impeachment failed.
However, Park Geun-hye was impeached with 234 votes out of 300 and was sentenced to 24 years in jail for corruption and oppression. In 2021, President Moon Jae-in pardoned her, and she was released from prison in 2022.
