"How Humiliating and Infuriating History Is" 'Targeting Yoon Government' Posters Stir Up Busan University Campuses

44th Anniversary of the 12·12 Incident Marked with University Posters in Busan
'Seoul's Spring' Success... Opposition Voices Target Government

On the 12th, marking the 44th anniversary of the December 12 military coup led by Chun Doo-hwan's new military regime, large posters related to 'Seoul Spring' were posted across various universities in the Busan area.

"A lesson to never forget the history of dictatorship... Spring has not yet come"

A poster for the movie "Seoul's Spring" is displayed at a cinema in downtown Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to news outlets such as Newsis on the 13th, a poster titled 'Waiting for the Spring That Has Not Yet Come' was posted at Pusan National University the day before. Mr. A, who revealed his department and real name, opened by saying, "Watching the movie 'Seoul Spring' stirred many emotions such as anger, sadness, and frustration."

Mr. A wrote, "I was enraged by the greed for power of those called the new military regime, who mobilized a private organization called Hanahoe to seize power. How humiliating and infuriating is the history where such people occupied not only the Blue House but also the National Assembly and the presidency?"

A large poster attached to Pusan National University on the 12th. [Image source=Online community capture]

He continued, "So, has spring come now? Chun Doo-hwan, who led military dictatorship, and President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is conducting a prosecution dictatorship. Their appearances, serving only their own power rather than the people, are similar," targeting the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

He added, "A president who judges from Japan’s perspective rather than the victims of forced mobilization and does everything Japan wants. A president who cuts budgets for the people but spends lavishly on overseas trips. A president who suppresses opposing voices and rejects all laws necessary for the people?if this is not dictatorship, then what is?"

A large poster attached to Pusan National University on the 12th. [Image source=Online community capture]

Mr. A added, "I believe the lesson of the movie is to never forget the history of dictatorship. I earnestly hope for the day when we reclaim that spring which has not yet come."

"Unjust power repeats itself again," claim

A large poster attached to Pukyong National University on the 12th. [Image source=Online community capture]

On the same day, at Pukyong National University, a poster titled 'If you fail, it’s treason; if you win, it’s revolution?' was posted. Mr. B, who also revealed his department and real name, wrote, "Looking at the figure of Jeon Du-gwang (based on Chun Doo-hwan in the film), who, centered around Hanahoe, gathered unjust powers one by one, disguised their treasonous acts as revolution, and branded anyone who stood in their way as traitors, I reflect on the present day of 2023."

A large poster attached to Pukyong National University on the 12th. [Image source=Online community capture]

He continued, "The reason I felt a suffocating heaviness in my chest along with explosive anger while watching the movie is because such unjust power from that time is repeating itself again. Let us remember the history that must never be repeated."

However, the poster at Pukyong National University was reportedly removed by the university administration around noon that day, classified as an 'unauthorized post' under school regulations.

'Seoul Spring' box office success... Ahn Min-seok: "If it surpasses 10 million viewers, Yoon’s approval rating will collapse"

The film 'Seoul Spring,' which depicts the 9 hours during the December 12, 1979 military coup led by the new military regime centered on Hanahoe, has surpassed 7 million viewers 20 days after its release, gaining strong box office momentum. If the current trend continues, it is expected to reach 10 million viewers soon.

Various voices have also emerged in the political sphere, mainly from the opposition. On the 12th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook, "I will clearly remember that Seoul Spring did not come by itself. I will engrave in my heart the tragic history so that democracy won through bloodshed does not collapse and the cartel of private desires for power does not threaten the lives of the people."

Lawmaker Ahn Min-seok also claimed regarding the success of 'Seoul Spring,' "If it surpasses 10 million viewers, the president’s approval rating will break below 30% and fall into the 20% range."

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