The recent success of the film ‘The King’s Man,’ which has attracted over 10 million viewers, has resulted in renewed attention to Cheongnyeongpo in South Korea’s Gangwon Province, a key setting in the film. The story resonates deeply as it reflects the emotions of a young boy who experienced profound feelings of loneliness, despair, and betrayal during his exile. This cultural appreciation and exploration of shared emotions connects audiences personally to the setting, fostering a sense of community and historical reflection.

Nearby, at a distance of just 33.4 km east, the film ‘1980 Sabuk,’ released in October last year, highlights the significant labor uprising known as the Sabuk Incident which began on April 21, 1980. This incident emerged out of deep-seated discontent among miners over issues like the direct election of union leaders and wage grievances. When undercover police attempted to suppress dissent by evading accountability, the miners retaliated with vocal protest, inciting violent confrontations with authorities and resulting in fatalities and injuries amid attempts at crowd control by police.

The aftermath of the Sabuk Incident led to brutal retaliations by military authorities, with over 200 miners subjected to torture and military trials. The support from the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2008 led to the acknowledgment of these acts as human rights violations and subsequent recommendations for state apologies and compensation. As a result, several individuals wrongfully convicted have received exonerations since 2015, showcasing the enduring impact of collective memory and the necessary reconciliation efforts in addressing past injustices in South Korea.