What happened?

Seoul police have ended the personal protection measures for actor Yoo Hai-jin, according to Yonhap News. The change followed a request from his agency, which police said was made shortly before the decision on October 15.

Why was he protected?

The protection was introduced on October 6 by Seongbuk Police Station after threats grew around the controversy over the film 'Assassins'. A conservative group held a protest in front of his home, and threatening posts appeared online. The measures included a smartwatch, registration in the police 112 emergency system, and stepped-up patrols near his house.

| Date | Event | |---|---| | October 6 | Protection measures introduced at the agency's request | | October 15 | Lifting of protection confirmed at a National Assembly audit |

Did celebrities get special treatment?

At the audit, Rep. Kang Myung-gu of the People Power Party asked whether Yoo received treatment different from ordinary people. He compared the case with police responses to a 2023 revenge murder in Geumcheon-gu and a recent killing and kidnapping case in Songpa-gu. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Ko Beom-seok denied any special treatment, saying the measure was reviewed in line with the agency's safety request. He also said that in the Songpa-gu case, police offered a temporary measure and a smartwatch to the victim, who declined the watch.

For international fans

Yoo Hai-jin is a veteran Korean actor, and the controversy involves the film 'Assassins'. The story has drawn attention because it touches on how police protect public figures facing threats, a debate that often comes up in Korea. Details of the film's release and any further developments are not covered in this report.