"Why Allow Such Films?" vs "Prior Censorship Is Unconstitutional"… Controversy Over Importing Chinese Communist Army Films, Citizens Protest

"Distribution Approval of 'Glorifying Chinese Communist Army' Film Sparks Public Outrage: 'Whose Side Are You On?'"
Experts Say "Ban on Distribution is Difficult... It's a Matter for the Public to Decide"

Chinese movie '1953 Geumseong Battle' trailer. Photo by YouTube

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 8th, when news broke that the Chinese film '1953 Battle of Geumseong,' which depicts the Korean War from the perspectives of China and North Korea, had received screening approval from the Korea Media Rating Board (KMRB), citizens and political circles erupted in anger. The criticism is that a film portraying the painful history of over 1,700 South Korean soldiers killed as a heroic tale of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army should not be distributed.

In response, the KMRB explained that withholding or rejecting a film's rating due to its content is unconstitutional, but public backlash continues. However, some argue that legally blocking the distribution of the film itself is not appropriate. Experts say that distribution cannot be prohibited simply because the film's content provokes public resentment.

On the 30th of last month, the KMRB assigned a 15+ age rating to the film '1953 Battle of Geumseong,' which depicts the Chinese army's victory during the Korean War. The film was reviewed for video release rather than theatrical viewing, and it is known to be available for viewing via VOD services starting mid-month.

The film is set against the backdrop of the 'Battle of Geumseong' fought in July 1953 around Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, near the end of the war. This battle began with a surprise attack by the Chinese army and lasted for a week, resulting in the defeated South Korean forces ceding 193 square kilometers of territory to North Korea. The film reportedly portrays the Chinese army as heroes and reflects the perspectives of China and North Korea, including depicting U.S. military aircraft as 'death bombers.'

According to South Korean military announcements, the casualties from this battle include 1,701 South Korean soldiers killed, 7,548 wounded, and 4,136 prisoners of war or missing. The Chinese side's records claim to have annihilated a total of 52,783 South Korean soldiers, combining the killed and wounded.

Upon learning these facts, social media and online communities flooded with criticism of the KMRB's decision, with comments such as "Why allow the import of such a film?" and "Don't disgrace the South Korean soldiers who died in the war."

Criticism also continued in political circles. Yoo Seung-min, a former lawmaker and presidential candidate from the People Power Party, questioned on Facebook, "Are we supposed to watch a film praising the Chinese invaders of the Republic of Korea in our own living rooms? Where will the humiliating pro-China diplomacy of the Moon Jae-in administration end?" Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung also raised his voice, saying, "The film was thoroughly produced from the perspectives of China and North Korea regarding the Battle of Geumseong. Who exactly provoked the war?"

Poster of the Chinese movie '1953 Geumseong Battle'.
Photo by Baidu

The Republic of Korea Veterans Association (ROKVA) issued a statement on the 8th, saying, "Showing political propaganda that depicts the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, which participated in an aggressive war, as heroes to young people is an anti-national act that shakes the values of the free democratic system, and our 10 million veterans absolutely cannot tolerate this."

In response, the KMRB stated that under current law, there is no way to block the distribution of the film. The KMRB explained in a statement, "'1953 Battle of Geumseong' screening and import permits mentioned in media reports were abolished by the Constitutional Court's rulings in 1996 and 2005, respectively, and the system to withhold rating classification was also abolished by a 2001 Constitutional Court ruling."

They added, "The current film rating classification system was introduced following the Constitutional Court's rulings, and withholding or rejecting a rating classification based on the subject matter or content of a film constitutes prior censorship prohibited by the Constitution and is not permitted under current law."

Among some netizens, opinions also emerged that legally restricting the import approval or distribution of the film itself is not appropriate. Netizens responded with comments such as, "Honestly, who would watch such a film? Just don't watch it," and "Government-level blocking of film distribution is a different issue."

Experts said that distribution cannot be banned simply because the content does not align with public sentiment. Cultural critic Jung Deok-hyun stated, "It is not possible to restrict distribution based on content or subject matter that may provoke public resentment. China still conducts censorship on cultural content, doesn't it? Such censorship is outdated," adding, "Whether to watch the film or not should be a decision made by the public."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.