Corporal Park Dong-hyuk is a newly enlisted sailor in the Republic of Korea Navy assigned to the patrol vesselPKM 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. PKM 357 apprehends the trawlers and their men, which allow the spies to familiarize themselves with the ship's superstructure. The North Koreans are eventually released upon orders by the South Korean higher 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 reconnoiter and survey the ROK Navy's patrolling tactics and defensive measures. The South Korean Ministry of Defense is notified about this but again ordered by the Blue House to not engage first. South Korea also receives intelligence that an attack is forthcoming, but does not change the rules of engagement to counter the looming threat despite the repeated interventions 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 ensuring battle severely cripples both ships before reinforcements from the South arrives and forces the North's patrol vessel to retreat. 19 wounded and 4 deaths are confirmed before PKM 357 sinks from uncontrollable fires. Naval divers eventually find the helmsman's body in the sunken ship. 83 days later, Park Dong-hyuk succumbs to his wounds, becoming the final casualty of the battle. The movie ends with the reminiscences of the surviving crew and photos of those who perished.
Cast
Kim Mu-yeol as Lieutenant Commander :ko:윤영하|Yoon Young-ha
Director Kim Hak-soon shot the film in 3D, having received a grant from the Korean Film Council. Kim said, "I believe that 3D visuals would enable viewers to feel the pain and fear felt by the in a more effective and immersive way." After initial investors backed out, it took the film seven years to finish production. A third of the budget was raised through crowdfunding by 7,000 individuals. They include 23 members of the 2002 South Korean national football team, and Chung Mong-joon, owner of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group and former president of the Korea Football Association, who donated.
Release
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.
Box office
The film topped the box office on its opening day, and by its first four days of release it had recorded 1.43 million admissions, grossing ; this was notable since June is considered a slow season for the Korean film industry. As of August 2, it has sold 6,024,894 tickets, making it the most-watched Korean film in 2015.
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.
