Film Lens
The Remnants is a documentary that examines the aftermath of the 2009 Yongsan Tragedy, focusing on the lives of the protesters after their release from jail. The film presents the personal stories of individuals like Ju-hwan Kim, who struggled with alcoholism and trauma, and Chang-su Kim, who faced family challenges after discovering his wife's cancer. Through these narratives, the film scrutinizes the interpersonal relationships among the evictees and their struggles in the wake of a tragic event that resulted in the deaths of five protesters and one police officer.
The documentary also addresses the wider effects of the Yongsan Tragedy, including the perception of the protesters as “urban terrorists” rather than victims. It shows the legal outcomes of the protests, where all police officers involved were exonerated, and the subsequent actions taken by the UN Committee on Economic and Social Rights. The film concludes with the pardon of five protesters in 2018 and the introduction of the “Protection from Eviction Act,” indicating ongoing efforts to secure rights for evictees.
Why Watch
- •Meet Ju-hwan Kim, who struggled with alcoholism after the tragedy.
- •See the impact of the Yongsan Tragedy on families like Chang-su Kim's.
- •Find out about the legal outcomes for the protesters in 2009.
Did You Know
•On January 20, 2009, five protesters and one police officer died during the Yongsan Tragedy.
•The protest involved around 40 renters and small business owners occupying a building.
•The police deployed a SWAT team without prior negotiation with the protesters.
•The trial resulted in a four-year sentence for the protesters, labeling them as 'urban terrorists.'
•On January 31, 2018, five protesters were pardoned by the president of South Korea.
Perfect For
Social justice advocatesUrban redevelopment issuesKorean history enthusiasts