º»¹® ¹Ù·Î°¡±â ¸Þ´º ¹Ù·Î°¡±â

15th DMZ Docs(2023)

I AM DOCU



CHOI Seung-ho

  • Korea
  • 2016
  • 104min
  • 15 +
  • DCP
  • color

Synopsis

Yu Woosung, a public official based in Seoul, is a Korean-Chinese defector who fled North Korea in 2012. But his life takes a drastic turn when the National Intelligence Service accuses him of espionage, citing his sister's confession as evidence. The National Intelligence Service has long played a central role in wielding state power and combating perceived threats from the North. But what if their accusations are unfounded? Journalist Choi Seung-ho casts doubt on the National Intelligence Service and takes action to uncover the truth. Ultimately, in October 2015, the Supreme Court exonerates Yoo of charges related to violating the National Security Act, effectively clearing his name.  

Review

 Spy Nation is Newstapa's first feature-length documentary film and the directorial debut of veteran journalist Choi Seung-ho. The film, which caused a stir when it was released, follows the case of Yoo Woo-sung, a North Korean defector and former Seoul city official, whose sister falsely confessed that her brother was a spy based on the fabricated evidence. The filmmakers use their investigative journalism skills to track down the truth beyond the facts. They don't just dictate the National Intelligence Service's announcement that Mr. Yoo confessed, but question and trace the process and reasons for his confession. As a result, the truth we see is shocking. In the history of espionage operations dating back to the early days of the Korean War, confessions have been the most reliable and easiest evidence for public security agencies, and there are well over 100 victims who were ultimately exonerated. The presence of Choi Seung-ho, who relentlessly follows and interviews the presidential secretary and the head of the National Intelligence Service, who are responsible for the case, is also an important sanction of the film. It is no exaggeration to say that Spy Nation is an achievement of a Korean journalistic documentary that shines with the will to reveal the truth and the courage to protest against injustice.

Director

  • CHOI Seung-ho

    Choi spent 26 years creating documentaries on societal issues at Korean broadcaster MBC. In 2012, he was expelled from the investigative journalism program PD Note and subsequently fired for producing critical programs about the Four Major River Project during the Lee Myung-bak government. Joining Newstapa in 2013, a Korean independent newsroom formed by dismissed journalists, Choi continued investigative journalism. He briefly served as MBC's president from December 2017. However, in May 2020, Choi returned to Newstapa to resume his documentary filmmaking. Notably, he directed Criminal Conspiracy (2018) and remains dedicated to ongoing coverage of the Four Major River Project.

Credit