Two Doors

In the midst of South Korea's fast-paced urbanization and the relentless pursuit of progress, the lives of those living in the country's oldest and largest US military base, Yongsan, took a devastating turn in 2009. The documentary, Two Doors, sheds light on an event that shook the nation and left an indelible mark on the lives of those involved - a tragedy that came to be known as the Yongsan Tragedy. For years, the lives of the residents in the Yongsan base's housing area had been marked by uncertainty and fear. Their homes, once a comfortable sanctuary, had become makeshift dwellings, subject to the whims of the US military's urban renewal plans. The constant threat of eviction forced many residents to live under the looming specter of homelessness. It was within this backdrop that the Yongsan Tragedy unfolded. Five residents, driven by desperation and a desire to be heard, decided to climb up a steel watchtower in the Yongsan base in a desperate attempt to appeal to the authorities. They built the structure over a span of 25 agonizing hours, as the authorities watched, seemingly powerless to intervene. The scene unfolding below the watchtower was one of high drama, with police personnel, media, and the public all gathered to witness the unfolding crisis. As the clock ticked away, the evictees, who had no other option but to turn to this daring act to make their voices heard, refused to back down. Their pleas fell on deaf ears, and their desperation only seemed to fuel the situation. The residents' determination to live, despite the government's cold, calculating demeanor, highlighted the stark divide between the two parties. The events that transpired over the 25-hour vigil took a tragic turn when a SWAT team unit member, caught in the crossfire, lost his life. The government and the South Korean authorities quickly shifted the blame for the tragic outcome onto the protesters, describing their actions as 'illegal and violent.' In an official statement, the Public Prosecutors' Office alleged that the evictees, who had climbed up the watchtower with fire bombs and clashed with the authorities, were solely responsible for the tragedy. However, this official account was met with skepticism by many. Critics saw it as a prime example of an overwhelming show of force, where the government's brutal suppression of the protesters turned a potentially peaceful protest into a violent and deadly confrontation. The tragedy highlighted the darker aspects of the government's approach to dissent and the treatment of the vulnerable. As the dust settled, the surviving evictees were left to grapple with the trauma of that fateful day. Their lives were forever changed, and their sense of justice was irreparably shaken. For them, the incident marked the end of an era - the end of their right to live, the right to speak, and the right to be heard. The authorities, on the other hand, seemed unrepentant, quick to shift the blame and avoid accountability. The documentary, Two Doors, gives voice to these survivors, presenting a powerful and heart-wrenching account of the Yongsan Tragedy. Through their stories, the film reveals a system that prioritizes power over compassion, and the consequences of this misguided approach. The movie leaves viewers with a haunting question - what exactly are we willing to sacrifice in the pursuit of progress?