Director Kwak Kyung-taek‘s younger brother, People Power Party senior spokesperson Kwak Gyu-taek, did not participate in the vote on the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, and amid public opinion calling for a boycott of Director Kwak’s film ‘Firefighter’, Director Kwak has expressed his position.

Director Kwak Kyung-taek said on the 12th, “There were many twists and turns and circumstances before our film ‘Firefighter’ met the audience. COVID-19, the actor‘s drinking, and now martial law the day before its release,” and opened by saying, “Honestly, my heart still pounds when I think about the night of December 3.”

He then explained the situation by saying, “Recently, because the youngest member of my family, People Power Party member Kwak Gyu-taek, did not participate in the impeachment vote in accordance with the party line, there are people who are thinking that the movie ‘Firefighter’ is a target of criticism,” and said, “I am also deeply disappointed and angry with the members of the National Assembly who did not even participate in the vote as a group.”

He then said, “Honestly, I think that the president who brought great chaos to the Republic of Korea and embarrassed the world should step down of his own accord. If not, he should definitely be impeached,” clearly showing his position in favor of impeachment.

Finally, he concluded by saying, “I sincerely hope that in the future, we can freely express the stories that I, and we, want to tell, through movies or books.”


[The following is Kwak Kyung-taek’s full statement]

Hello, I am film director Kwak Kyung-taek.

There have been many twists and turns and circumstances before our film “Firefighter” finally met the audience. COVID-19, the actor‘s drinking, and now martial law the day before its release. When I think about the night of December 3rd, my heart still races.
And although fortunately the film “Firefighter” is loved by many audiences, that anxiety still envelops my whole body. I think many people feel the same way as I do.

Recently, some people are criticizing the film “Firefighter” because my youngest family member, People Power Party member Kwak Gyu-taek, did not participate in the impeachment vote in line with the party line.
I am also deeply disappointed and angry at the lawmakers who did not even participate in the vote as a group. Honestly, I think the president who has caused great chaos in South Korea and embarrassed the world should step down on his own. If not, he should definitely be impeached.

In the past, our country has overcome political chaos by gathering strength from all the people and wisely overcoming them, and I believe that we will overcome this difficult time at the end of 2024 as well.

So I sincerely hope that the world will continue to be one where I, we can freely express the stories we want to tell through movies or books.

December 12 (Thursday) Director Kwak Kyung-taek

Jeon Hyo-jin, Donga.com Reporter jhj@donga.com