12.12: The Day (서울의 봄)

PLUS M ENTERTAINMENT presents

a HIVE MEDIA CORP production

Executive Producer HONG JEONGIN

Produced by KIM WON-KUK

This film is inspired by actual events

however characters and situations have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes.

Did war break out?

Excuse me.

General.

Col. Kang, what's going on?

I'm not sure either.

We're not under attack?

No, the front lines are fine.

This way.

The Prime Minister's here.

- What's going on? - Later, sir.

A short time ago,

President Park passed away.

Let us offer a silent tribute and open an emergency Cabinet meeting.

OCTOBER 26, 1979 PRESIDENT PARK ASSASSINATED

As appointed by the acting President,

I'm the new martial law commander.

The investigation into the shooting

will be led by General Chun of Defense Security Command.

"To change the world..." is that why you killed him?

Did you want to become president so much?

No, how many times must I say it?

Did you think it'd work?

Did you go see a fortune teller?

Look outside. Nothing has changed.

The world is the same.

The dictator of 18 years was gone.

But the hoped-for new era did not come.

Those who craved the vacated seat of power

ushered in an even greater darkness.

The story of that winter has been completely hidden.

12.12: THE DAY

After the shocking death

of our President Park,

the whole country...

Hey.

How's that? Too serious?

No, you sound very dignified.

You could try making it more relaxed.

I look uptight?

If I'm relaxed it'll look weird.

The whole country will be watching on TV.

The Joint Investigation Commander

will give a brief on the president's assassination.

After the shocking death of our President Park,

the whole nation must be sorrowful

and curious about the incident,

so we issue this interim report.

Kim asked,

"How could you run a country with this useless maggot by your side?"

Then Dir. Kim drew a gun and shot the Security Chief first.

Gen. Lee Tae-shin is here.

Go in.

General!

Why was Chief Jeong at the scene of the shooting?

The Chief of Staff is not currently under suspicion.

I heard General Chun feels uncomfortable around you.

Is that true?

I thought that was all in the past. But I'm not sure how he feels.

What do you think of Hanahoe?

I think private groups should have no place in the military.

You wrote an interesting paper when you were director of research.

It was about focusing on military intelligence,

and getting rid of the power hungry Defence Security Command, right?

I was a Lieutenant Colonel then, but I was scolded so much

that I erased it from my memory.

Sir, I'd like to know why you called me today.

I want to make you Capital Garrison Commander.

Everyone wants that job,

so I'll give it to someone who's not driven by greed, like you.

The army generals tell me

you're old-fashioned, but you know your duty.

They say you don't care about politics.

That you're a real soldier. Come, sit.

You'll do it, right?

I'm truly grateful,

but may I ask the reason for this excessive offer?

I just don't understand.

Are you turning down the offer to be CGC Commander?

Yes, I am.

Something on your mind?

No.

General Chun is coming.

I know our vice-ministers are busy.

Sorry to call you here. Please sit.

Make yourself comfortable.

I wanted to call the administrators too,

but as you can see, my office is tiny.

Colonel Ha. Start the meeting.

Yes, sir.

- We'll start with Foreign Affairs. - No, no.

Home Affairs first.

Yes, sir.

Then...

- Vice Minister Yang? - Yes.

Regarding your order...

Hearing each department's report,

Chun laughed and said, "This is just like a Cabinet meeting!"

That's what I heard.

Just look at him.

He thinks he's the king.

What are we supposed to do about him?

As for me, I hope

our troops can be reborn through this opportunity

to meet the expectations of the people.

That's it for now.

General!

It seems our society will take big steps toward democracy.

What are your thoughts?

Who do you write for?

Haven't we always been a democratic nation?

As we move past this national crisis,

I wish for our military to focus

on its core mission of national defense.

However,

if there are people here more concerned about politics,

I am terribly worried, and believe it to be dangerous.

What's he saying?

Who's he talking to?

How ridiculous.

- Is he talking to us? - Worried about us?

Better worry about himself.

Be quiet, will you?

That was a great speech.

Glad you think so.

Are you sure about making Lee the CGC Commander?

He's not bad,

but the Garrison Command guards the nation's capital.

The commanders today were worried...

What's your point?

It's not because he isn't a KMA graduate,

but he can be headstrong like other OCS graduates.

The job needs someone more sophisticated.

Like who?

What about Gen. Roh Tae-gun?

Don't I have the authority to appoint personnel?

Sir?

Do I need your permission to make decisions?

Perhaps you misunderstood, my point is...

I'll pretend I didn't hear your point, okay?

Chief shouldn't treat you that way.

Lee doesn't know his place to accept that job.

That's enough.

General Lee.

Congratulations.

For what?

I was so happy to hear it.

- Now that you're the CGC... - I'm not.

You're turning it down?

You must be busy with the DSC and the investigation.

Our service means nothing without self-sacrifice, right?

I've been so concerned lately,

I've got no hair left.

How's the investigation on Kim going?

We'll get it done before the trial.

I heard the DSC is locking people up indiscriminately.

Is that true?

Everyone is looking forward to a so-called Seoul Spring.

So why arrest and torture people not related to the case?

We all know you love our country.

Just don't be so intimidating.

I understand what you're saying.

But I'll decide how to handle that.

Yes.

I'm sure you will.

And moving around in a pack,

it doesn't look good.

General, you know,

I am honestly thinking maybe you and I should get closer.

We could benefit from being on the same side at this difficult time.

Everyone in the Korean Army is on the same side.

Wow. You think so?

See you around.

How many times must I ask?

I think you should find someone better.

I'm really sorry, sir.

Stay for dinner.

It's being prepared.

I'm alright.

You can't come all this way and leave without dinner!

Please, stay.

I think I'd better go.

If I wanted someone to do politics, I wouldn't ask you!

After Chun took over the DSC and the investigation

he got his hands on all the intelligence,

and he's been acting like the whole world is his.

Will you let Hanahoe take over this post as well?

It's a critical time for our nation.

By myself,

I can't...

I can't do anything.

I need you to protect Seoul. That's all I need.

As the Army Chief of Staff, I entrust you, soldier

with this mission.

Troops, attention!