Yoo Hae-jin put under police protection after receiving threats over new film

South Korean actor Yoo Hae-jin has been put under police protection amid threats over his new film The Assassin(s).

The 56-year-old plays a police superintendent in the film which depicts the 1974 assassination of then first lady Yuk Young-su, wife of late former President Park Chung-hee.

A report by Yonhap on Tuesday (Oct 6) said conservative groups are "strongly criticising" the movie for allegedly implying Park's involvement in her death, rather than the assassin Moon Se-kwang.

Such groups have held protests outside Hae-jin's residence in Seoul, demanding an apology from him, his co-stars and the crew. The movie, directed by Hur Jin-ho, also stars Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho.

According to media reports, Seoul Seongbuk Police Station has provided him with a smartwatch and registered him under the country's emergency 112 system, while also stepping up patrol around his residence.

A police official said protective measures can be taken if there are reasons to anticipate potential harm.

Earlier on Monday, Hae-jin's agency Vast Entertainment released a statement on social media, asserting that they "view all acts that infringe on the actor's personal privacy, threaten his safety, or defame his reputation very seriously".

They said Hae-jin has been the target of slander, with false information spreading on online communities.

They added they are gathering information and plan to "take all possible measures" to protect his rights and safety.

Hae-jin previously starred in The King's Warden, which premiered in February and became a box office hit.

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Opening film for SGIFF

The Assassin(s) is the opening film for the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) from Oct 21 to Nov 1.

Korean publication Asia Business Daily reported on Tuesday that the People Power Party sent a letter to Jeremy Chua, SGIFF's executive director, to withdraw the film, saying: "While we respect artistic freedom and the independence of film festivals, creative freedom does not mean freedom from responsibility regarding historical facts."

SGIFF told The Straits Times on Wednesday the movie was selected based on its artistic merit and contribution to contemporary Asian cinema, and it will proceed as the opening film.

They added: "The filmmakers have described the film as a work of cinematic imagination that combines historical events with fictional characters and situations.

"They have stated that it was not made to establish historical conclusions, distort facts or serve any political purpose."

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syarifahsn@asiaone.com