Celebs feel pressure to speak out about impeachment

By Baek Byung-yeul

Celebrities are facing mounting pressure to speak out and participate in the nationwide movement to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, which was triggered by his recent declaration of martial law.

Filmmaker Kwak Kyung-taek found himself in the crosshairs of public outrage when his younger brother, Rep. Kwak Kyu-taek of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), walked out on an impeachment vote against Yoon last Saturday.

Public anger intensified when the impeachment motion against the president failed to be put to a vote on Dec. 7 because most of the ruling party members — including the younger Kwak — boycotted the parliamentary vote.

Korea has been in political chaos since Yoon declared martial law on Dec. 3. This unanticipated move was swiftly rejected by the National Assembly within just a few hours, but the public remains outraged by the attempts to occupy the National Assembly and other public agencies using military force.

In retaliation to Rep. Kwak's boycott, there have been widespread calls for a boycott of director Kwak's recently released film “Firefighters.”

This film, based on a 2001 arson incident in Seoul, faced numerous setbacks until its Dec. 4 release due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lead actor Kwak Do-won being indicted for drunk driving after filming wrapped.

Since its release, the film has been leading the box office with its sincere portrayal of the difficulties faced by firefighters. However, it now faces another crisis due to the boycott movement triggered by the martial law crisis.

In response, the director, best known for his 2001 film “Friend,” expressed his thoughts on Thursday afternoon, saying that he was also disappointed by his brother's absence from the vote.

“There have been many struggles before our film 'Firefighters' could meet audiences — COVID-19, the actor's drunk driving incident and now martial law on the eve of the release. Honestly, my heart still races when I think about the night of Dec. 3,” he said in a press release.

“Due to my family member, Rep. Kwak Kyu-taek of the PPP, not participating in the impeachment vote in line with his party’s decision, some people are considering the film 'Firefighters' as a target of criticism,” Kwak added.

“I, too, am deeply disappointed and angry at the lawmakers who didn't even participate in the vote. Honestly, I believe the president should step down voluntarily for causing great confusion and embarrassing us globally. If not, he should be impeached.”

Singer Lim Young-woong was also criticized for showing indifference to political issues after allegedly exchanging an Instagram direct message with a follower saying, “Am I a politician? Why should I speak out?” following the martial law fiasco.

Currently, the authenticity of this post has not been verified. Neither the singer nor his agency have made any statements regarding the matter, maintaining silence.

Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo also faced a public backlash for posting new pictorial photos on Instagram on Dec. 7, while lawmakers were voting on the presidential impeachment motion.

Hwang Kyo-ik, a food columnist and broadcaster, pointed out that Lim's statement could be perceived as disrespectful to citizens who express their political views.

“It's freedom not to make political statements. However, saying that only politicians can voice political opinions could be perceived as an insult to citizens who come out to express their political will in public squares on cold days, as if saying 'You're not politicians either,'" Hwang wrote on Facebook.