In Joint Security Area, the murder of two North Korean soldiers in the Korean Demilitarized Zone heightens tension between North Korea and South Korea and threatens war. Major Sophie, a young woman who is half Korean, half Swiss, heads the investigation, representing the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. As she looks beyond the written depositions of the witnesses and realizes the inconsistencies in the stories, an unexpected past is revealed, making the murders even more tragic and the message of the story even more powerful.
The film embeds an interesting role of ethnicity, self-identity, and the racism that can occur even within the same culture. Major Sophie’s unique ethnicity addresses a modern diversification and modern racism. The apprehensiveness at which she is welcomed and the repetition of her being half Swiss and a newcomer to Korea, almost suggests a loss to her credibility as a supervisor on the investigation in the opening scenes.
The racism between North Koreans and South Koreans marks a more traditional racism, rooted deep in the tensions of the past. Over and over, the term “brother” is used, realizing that despite the long-standing tension between North Korea and South Korea, the countries were once united and that this discrimination has been around for much longer.
The parallel between modern and historical discrimination within the same culture is just one way director Chan-wook Park compares traditional Korea and modern Korea.
The character of Major Sophie and her authority in the film also parallels the social rise of women in both modern North Korea and South Korea. However, the traditional role of the woman is also not forgotten, seen in the glimpses of the frailty of Major Sophie.
In this sense, Joint Security Area is a breed of both traditional and modern Korean elements.
-Priya Kurani
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I disagree with the theory about the brotherhood in the movie. I think that the fact that the fact that soldiers from North Korea and South Korea can call themselves brothers even though they are fighting against each other shows that even though there u are basically forced to discriminate against the other country because of your loyalty to your own country, this discrimination is not real. The general population of one country does not actually hate those of the other.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the previous comment. The discrimination felt towards the country is for loyalty reasons. When it comes down to it, they don't hate the individuals of the opposing countries for who they are, they hate what they represent as a whole. This is clearly shown by the friendship that arises between the soldiers. The hate is instilled in them through their cultures, families, military, etc. but it can be overcome.
ReplyDeleteI think your comments on Major Sophie being half swiss and half Korean are very interesting an an important piece of the movie. She is able to be disconnected to the split between North and South Korea, while also having the ability to relate to the Northern and Southern Korean soldiers. Each of the three main characters relate to each other creating a sense of relational equality between the three (meaning that each have an equal ability to relate to one another- with out the impeding nationalist and militaristic ideas forcing the characters and countries apart.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think the term "racist" or "racism" is used incorrectly in your post. Because all of teh soldiers (North or South Korea) are of the same race being Korean. They are from different nations and can have discriminatory views towards one another, but being racist against one another would be being racist to themselves as well.