Publication

Poll on the Historical Interpretation Controversy over the Film 'Assassins'

In an Institute for Reform poll (RIO 2026-07, September 29, 2026, n=1,017), 58.2% said the film 'Assassins' raising doubts about who was behind the 1974 shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-soo is closer to 'historical distortion,' more than double the 27.6% who called it 'creative freedom.' On some politicians considering legal action such as an injunction against screening, opinion split three ways: 'excessive' 35.2%, 'appropriate' 25.7%, and 'should be more active' 31.2%. 58.3% said the standards by which politicians take issue with expression about historical figures or events are 'not consistent,' against 23.1% 'consistent.' On how far films based on historical fact should be allowed to include hypotheses or imagination that differ from the record, 46.0% chose 'only within limits that do not harm the reputation of real people,' 22.9% 'allowed if disclosed as fiction,' 19.4% 'should not be allowed,' and 7.8% 'allowed without restriction.'