Actor Yoo Hae-jin put under police protection amid threats over film controversy

Actor Yoo Hae-jin was placed under police protection in Seoul on Tuesday amid escalating threats linked to backlash over his film The Assassin(s). Seoul Seongbuk Police Station gave him a smartwatch, registered him on the emergency 112 system and increased patrols near his residence, without assigning a dedicated officer. Conservative groups accuse the film of historical distortion and have protested outside Yoo’s home and at businesses connected to him.

The police measures followed criticism of the film’s depiction of the 1974 assassination of first lady Yuk Young-su, wife of former President Park Chung-hee.

Conservative groups argue the movie implies Park was involved in his wife’s death instead of identifying Moon Se-kwang as responsible for the shooting.

Burger King said Tuesday it had ended Yoo’s short-term advertising contract, while stating the decision was unrelated to the film controversy.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Ko Beom-seok said authorities would take stern action against threats targeting Yoo.

Protesters also gathered outside Hive Media Corp. and urged the production company to apologize to the public and Park’s bereaved family members.

Published Oct 6, 2026 10:41 pm KST

Actor Yoo Hae-jin pose during a red carpet event at the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, Sept. 3, 2026. Yonhap

Police said Tuesday they have placed actor Yoo Hae-jin under protection following escalating threats over a film he starred in that has drawn intense backlash over alleged historical distortion.

Seoul Seongbuk Police Station has provided Yoo with a smartwatch and registered him on the emergency 112 system, while stepping up patrol around his residence, officials said. The measures, however, do not include assigning a dedicated officer to the actor.

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

Yoo has faced criticism from conservatives over his role in "The Assassin(s)," a movie depicting the 1974 assassination of then first lady Yuk Young-su, wife of late former President Park Chung-hee.

Conservative groups are strongly criticizing the movie for allegedly implying Park's involvement in his wife's death, rather than the assassin, Moon Se-kwang, who was held accountable for the shooting.

Conservative civic groups have staged protests outside Yoo's home in northern Seoul, demanding the movie be pulled from theaters and calling for an apology from the actor, his co-stars and the production crew.

Protesters also demonstrated in front of the Burger King headquarters in central Seoul later in the day. Yoo had recently featured in advertisements for the franchise, but the company confirmed Tuesday it had terminated its short-term contract with the actor, saying it was unrelated to the film controversy.

Ko Beom-seok, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said the police will take stern action against threats targeting Yoo.

Ko's remarks followed Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young's call for the police to enhance safety measures for those involved in the film and take stern measures.

Earlier Tuesday, a civic group staged a rally in central Seoul, urging local companies to cancel their advertising contracts with Yoo. Another group of protesters gathered outside Hive Media Corp. to urge the production company to apologize to the public and Park's bereaved family members over the film's content.

周二，由于电影《刺客》引发争议，演员柳海镇面临不断升级的威胁，首尔警方已对其进行保护。首尔城北警察署为其配备了智能手表，将其信息录入紧急求助电话112系统，并加强了其住所附近的巡逻，但并未指派专职警员。保守派团体指责该片歪曲历史，并在柳海镇的住所及其相关商铺外举行了抗议活动。

警方采取这些措施是因为该电影对1974年第一夫人柳英洙（前总统朴正熙的妻子）遇刺事件的描述受到了批评。

保守派团体认为，这部电影暗示朴槿惠参与了妻子的死亡，而不是指认文世光是枪击案的凶手。

汉堡王周二表示，已终止与刘玉玲的短期广告合同，同时声明该决定与电影争议无关。

首尔地方警察厅厅长高凡锡表示，当局将对针对柳承敏的威胁采取严厉措施。

抗议者还聚集在 Hive Media Corp. 外，敦促这家制作公司向公众和朴槿惠的家属道歉。

发布于2026年10月6日晚上10:41（韩国标准时间）

2026年9月3日，演员柳海镇在忠清北道堤川市举行的堤川国际音乐电影节（JIMFF）红毯活动上摆姿势拍照。（韩联社）

警方周二表示，由于演员柳海镇主演的一部电影涉嫌歪曲历史，引发强烈反弹，警方已对其实施保护，并对其发出不断升级的威胁。

首尔城北警察署表示，已为刘宇昆配备了智能手表，并将其紧急呼叫系统112注册，同时加强了其住所周边的巡逻。但这些措施并未包括为刘宇昆指派专职警员。

一名警官表示，如果有理由预见到潜在的伤害，可以采取保护措施。

刘德华因出演电影《刺客》而受到保守派人士的批评。该片讲述了1974年第一夫人陆英秀（已故前总统朴正熙的妻子）遇刺身亡的事件。

保守派团体强烈批评这部电影，称其暗示朴槿惠与妻子之死有关，而不是与被追究枪击罪责的凶手文世光有关。

保守派公民团体在刘宇昆位于首尔北部的家门外举行抗议活动，要求将这部电影从影院撤下，并呼吁刘宇昆、他的合作演员和制作团队道歉。

当天晚些时候，抗议者还在首尔市中心的汉堡王总部前举行了示威活动。刘宇昆此前曾为该品牌拍摄广告，但该公司周二证实，已终止与刘宇昆的短期合约，并表示这与电影争议无关。

首尔地方警察厅厅长高范锡表示，警方将对针对柳的威胁采取严厉措施。

在文化部长蔡辉映呼吁警方加强对电影相关人员的安全保护并采取严厉措施之后，高智贤发表了上述言论。

周二早些时候，一个市民团体在首尔市中心举行集会，呼吁当地企业取消与刘作虎的广告合约。另一群抗议者聚集在Hive Media Corp.公司外，要求这家制作公司就电影内容向公众和朴槿惠的家属道歉。