Agency requested safety measures after demonstrations outside actor's home

Members of a conservative group hold a rally outside the home of Yoo Hae-jin, lead actor in the film "The Assassin," in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on Sunday. [Yonhap]
Members of a conservative group hold a rally outside the home of Yoo Hae-jin, lead actor in the film "The Assassin," in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on Sunday. [Yonhap]

Police have activated personal protection measures for Yoo Hae-jin, the lead actor in the film "The Assassin," amid mounting protests and threats directed at cast members and the production company over allegations that the film distorts historical facts.

The Seongbuk Police Station in Seoul said Tuesday it had received a protection request from Yoo's agency and moved to implement safety measures.

The action follows a series of denunciation rallies held since Sunday outside a detached house in Seongbuk-gu believed to be Yoo's residence, as well as threatening statements posted online, which raised growing concerns about his personal safety.

"We take safety measures not only when a crime has already occurred but also when there is a concern that one may," a police official said. "We received a request from the agency in the afternoon and put safety measures in place."

Earlier, Yoo's agency, Vast Entertainment, issued an official statement through its SNS account saying it was "taking very seriously any and all acts that invade the actor's personal privacy, threaten his safety, or damage his reputation."

"The Assassin," which is based on the Aug. 15, 1974 shooting of former first lady Yuk Young-soo, has sparked widening controversy in the film industry as well as in political and social circles since its release, after conservative commentators raised allegations that it distorts historical facts.


ehkim@heraldcorp.com