[Spoorts Chosun’s Jo Ji-young] Actor Gong Yoo, who revealed his political inclinations over 20 years ago, is facing public outrage as it coincides with President Yoon Suk-yeol’s emergency martial law declaration controversy. There is growing interest in whether Gong Yoo will address his past statements in an interview today (the 5th).
Recently, an online community resurfaced Gong Yoo’s remarks from a 2005 interview in which he revealed his ‘political inclinations,’ leading to a flood of criticism from netizens. Back then, when asked to name three men he considered the coolest, Gong Yoo replied, “My father, Michael Jordan, and Park Chung-hee.” This response, revisited amid President Yoon’s martial law declaration controversy, has sparked discussions online about whether it signifies support for ‘dictatorial regimes’ or ‘martial law.’ Some are questioning Gong Yoo’s historical awareness and political inclinations, prompting demands for clarification.
Park Chung-hee, mentioned by Gong Yoo, served as the 5th through 9th president and is one of the most influential figures in modern Korean history. Known as the symbol of ‘military dictatorship,’ he severely undermined national democracy through ‘fear politics’ and ‘corruption.’ After the military coup on May 16, 1961, he dissolved the National Assembly, banned political activities, and took control over government and media institutions. When widespread public resistance arose due to the 1965 Korea-Japan Basic Treaty, he declared martial law, becoming branded as one of the ‘tyrants.’
The re-emergence of attention towards Park Chung-hee has been fueled by President Yoon’s emergency martial law declaration, which marks the first such event 45 years since Park’s death in 1979. President Yoon’s declaration, made during an emergency briefing at 10:25 PM on the 3rd from the Yongsan presidential office, shocked the nation. Yoon stated, “The government is paralyzed and the people’s sighs are increasing. It is an act of sedition, trampling on the constitutional order of free Korea and disturbing legitimate state institutions founded by the constitution and law. The opposition leader’s indulgence in impeachment and special investigation has brought national affairs to a standstill.”
The declaration led to about 280 martial law troops appearing at the National Assembly twice, spreading fear nationwide. Within minutes of the declaration at 10:50 PM, police closed off external gates at the National Assembly, blocking entry for lawmakers and staff. The Ministry of National Defense deployed helicopters, bringing over 230 armed martial law troops into the National Assembly premises from 11:48 PM on the 3rd to 1:18 AM on the 4th, with an additional 50 troops breaking in over the wall as broadcasted live worldwide. These martial law troops attempted unsuccessfully to enter the National Assembly building through the main and rear entrances, resorting to breaking windows with hammers and rifles to storm the building—a scene broadcasted not only domestically but also internationally.
A Cabinet meeting was held at 4:30 AM on the 4th, and a ‘martial law cessation proposal’ was adopted, allowing President Yoon to lift the martial law declaration. Though the martial law was lifted six hours later and the martial law command withdrawn, public outrage remains unabated.
The entertainment industry has also voiced criticism against President Yoon’s martial law declaration. Writer and broadcaster Heo Ji-woong expressed anger on his personal account with “I can no longer stand it,” while actress Kim Ji-woo remarked on how unbelievable it was to experience martial law and witness martial law troops blocking the National Assembly. Veteran actor Kim Ki-cheon shared a photo of the martial law announcement with the caption “This will be recorded in history. Do not engage in collaboration,” and poet Ha Sang-wook’s indirect criticism was highlighted when GD ‘liked’ his post.
As criticism over President Yoon’s martial law declaration grows within the entertainment industry, Gong Yoo’s past ‘political inclination,’ buried for decades, has resurfaced as a hot topic. Gong Yoo, set for a press interview today (the 5th) near Samcheong-dong, regarding the Netflix original series ‘Trunk,’ is expected to address how he will navigate the sensitive situation surrounding his past comments.
Jo Ji-young 기자 [email protected]