After 10 years on the run and five years in prison, student activist, YUN Gi-jin returns to his family. However, letters he had written in incarceration, including to his wife has him charged once again for violating National Security Law right before his release from prison. With the possibility of having to go back to prison in a year’s time, every day that passes is sodden with anxiety for him.
“The PARK Jong-cheol Human Rights Award Committee in light of its focus on political activities by student activists in commemoration of the late PARK Jong-cheol who sacrificed his life during his fight for democracy, the jury has unanimously decided to award husband and wife political activists, YUN Gi-jin and HWANG Yoon for their contributions to the reunification movement and fight for freedom.” (statement for the PARK Jong-cheol Human Rights Award on June 7th, 2004)
The recipient of the award, YUN Gi-jin was imprisoned for 5 years, and his wife, HWANG Yoon was also indicted for violating National Security Law after joining Korean-American, SHIN Eun-mi on a series of talks around the country which was considered a ‘Pro-North Korean Concert’.
So, how should we see films highlighting the lives of real people at the center of political controversy? Should we recognize such films as the production and distribution of works in favor of the enemy(?), and thus consider them subject to prosecution under National Security Law for glorifying and encouraging anti-government groups?
Eventually, YUN Gi-jin was acquitted of all charges by the Supreme Court(Chief Judge, PARK Bo-young) on Jan.20th, 2016.