Corporal Park Dong-hyuk is a newly enlisted sailor in the Republic of Korea Navy assigned to the patrol vessel PKM 357. In the midst of the 2002 FIFA World Cup taking place in South Korea, North Korea deploys fishing trawlers with spies to cross the Northern Limit Line (the demarcation line at sea). PKM 357 seizes the trawlers and their men, which allows the spies to familiarise themselves with the ship's superstructure. The North Koreans are eventually released upon orders by the South Korean high command, as part of the government's Sunshine Policy.
Over the coming month, North Korea's Korean People's Navy repeatedly enters South Korean waters to reconnoitre and survey the ROK Navy's patrolling tactics and defensive measures. The South Korean Ministry of Defense is notified about North's strategy but is again ordered by the Blue House to not engage first. South Korea also receives intelligence reports that an attack is forthcoming, but does not change the rules of engagement to counter the looming threat despite the repeated requests of PKM 357's commander, Lieutenant Commander Yoon Young-ha.
On 29 June 2002, the second Battle of Yeonpyeong commences with a surprise attack on PKM 357 by a North Korean patrol vessel. The ensuing battle severely cripples both ships before reinforcements from the South arrive and force the North's patrol vessel to retreat. 19 wounded and 4 deaths are confirmed before PKM 357 sinks due to uncontrollable fires. Naval divers eventually find the helmsman's body in the sunken vessel.
83 days later, Park Dong-hyuk succumbs to his wounds, becoming the final casualty of the battle. The movie ends with the real life surviving crew members reminiscing about their colleagues with photos of those who perished.
Choi Jong-hwan as North Korean high-ranking official (cameo)
Jung Joo-ri as Visiting girl (cameo)
Production
Director Kim Hak-soon shot the film in 3D, having received a US$1 million grant from the Korean Film Council (3D effects were done by Dnext Media). Kim said, "I believe that 3D visuals would enable viewers to feel the pain and fear felt by the (men) in a more effective and immersive way."[2]
Northern Limit Line was originally set to premiere on June 11, 2015, but due to concerns over the MERS outbreak, distributor Next Entertainment World delayed the theatrical release by two weeks to June 24.[12][13][14]
Box office
The film topped the box office on its opening day,[15][16][17] and by its first four days of release it had recorded 1.43 million admissions, grossing ₩8.7 billion (US$7.8 million); this was notable since June is considered a slow season for the Korean film industry.[18][19][20]
As of August 2, it has sold 6,024,894 tickets (grossing US$38,945,231), making it the most-watched Korean film in 2015.[21][22][23][24][25][26]
Political reception
While North Korean state media outletUriminzokkiri lambasted it, calling it "distorted" and an "anti-DPRK movie," South Korean conservative politicians such as former president Lee Myung-bak recommended the film.[27]
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