Ri Chun-gu (Korean: 리춘구 or 이춘구; April 12, 1942 – c. June 2023) was a North Korean screenwriter who was allegedly imprisoned in 2008. One of the most famous and acclaimed screenwriters in North Korea, he was awarded the Order of Kim Il Sung, Kim Il Sung Prize, and earned the title of a "Double Labor Hero".[1][2]
Ri Chun-gu | |
|---|---|
리춘구 or 이춘구 | |
 | |
| Born | April 12, 1942 |
| Died | June 2023 (aged 81) |
| Alma mater | Kim Il Sung University |
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
| Years active | 1967–c. 2008 |
Early life and career
editRi was born on April 12, 1942, in Pyongyang, at the time occupied by Japan and currently a part of North Korea.[1][2] After leaving Pyongchon High School,[2] he enrolled at Kim Il Sung University in 1963 and remained there for several years. According to Radio Free Asia, Ri first met Kim Jong Il in 1967; Kim was impressed by Ri's comments on how new screenwriters are treated and requested he start submitting scripts to him immediately.[3] Ri debuted with The Heat Management Ball.[3][4]
He later became one of the most influential writers in North Korean cinema,[4] scripting films such as The Fourteenth Winter (1980),[2] Youthful Heart (1981),[2] Secretary in Charge of the County Party (1982),[5] Pulgasari (1985; albeit uncredited),[6] A Broad Bellflower (1987),[2] Man Remaining in Our Heart (1989),[7] and Traces of Life (1989).[8][9] He also wrote most of the Nation and Destiny (1992–2002) film series.[1][9][10]
Alleged imprisonment
editA 2012 report from Radio Free Asia said that Ri had been "stripped of all his honorary positions and dismissed as a farm worker in [R]yanggang Province. His crime is that he dared to speak against Kim Jong-il’s wishes."[3] In 2013, North Korean defectors included Ri on a list alleged to consist of writers in captivity in North Korea. The defectors claimed that he had been imprisoned under Kim Jong Il's orders in 2008 for infuriating Kim when they were discussing revision on a script.[4][11]
Death
editHis death was reported on June 15, 2023; a day after his funeral.[1][10] The Korean Central News Agency stated: "Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to express his deep condolences on the death of comrade Ri Chun-gu, a writer of the Paekdu Mountain Creative Troupe who was a recipient of the Order of Kim Il-sung, the recipient of the Kim Il-sung Prize, and a double hero of labour."[10]
Filmography
edit- The Heat Management Ball - debut[3][4]
- The Fourteenth Winter (1980)[2]
- Youthful Heart (1981)[2]
- Secretary in Charge of the County Party (1982)[5]
- Pulgasari (1985) [with Kim Seryun; uncredited][6][12]
- A Broad Bellflower (1987)[2]
- Ask Yourself (1988)[2][9][10]
- Man Remaining in Our Heart (1989)[7][10]
- Traces of Life (1989)[8][9]
- Nation and Destiny (1992–2002)[9][10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "북 최고 극작가 리춘구 타계..김정은 화환 진정". Tongil News (in Korean). 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "리춘구 [Ri Chunku]". nks.ac.kr. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b c d "[김씨 일가의 실체] 시나리오 작가 리춘구". Radio Free Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b c d "[기고]리춘구를 아시나요". Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b "군당책임비서 [Secretary in Charge of the County Party]". nks.ac.kr. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b "北, 희극작가 김세륜 등 11명 애국열사릉 안치". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "심장에 남는 사람 [Man Remaining in Our Heart]". nks.ac.kr. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b "생의 흔적 [Traces of Life]". nks.ac.kr. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e "재기나선 북 최고 시나리오작가 리춘구". 통일뉴스 (in Korean). 2002-01-10. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f 장용훈 (2023-06-15). "북한 최고 영화 시나리오 작가 리춘구 사망…김정은 조화 보내 | 연합뉴스". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ ""김정일 총애받던 이춘구도 투옥"". The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). 2013-09-02. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
- ^ "신상옥감독 영화 '불가사리' 내달 국내 개봉". 매일신문 (in Korean). 2000. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
External links
edit- Choon Goo Ri at IMDb