This film is based on real life events surrounding the June Democracy Movement in 1987 that ended the military regime of President Chun Doo-hwan. Student protests began to riot against the government when it was revealed that student activist Park Jong-chul, who participated in pro-democracy demonstrations against the regime, was tortured to death during an interrogation session. The torture session was ordered by Commissioner Park Cheo-won, whose job it was to eradicate communist activities by all means possible. The authorities involved in the torture seek to conceal the death of Park Jong-chul, but a group of people attempt to bring the truth of the incident to light. Prosecutor Choi catalyzes the effort by denying the policemen’s request to have the student's body cremated. The policemen are aware that cremation of the body would destroy evidence revealing that the college student was tortured to death at the scene. Prosecutor Choi finds this request suspicious and demands that the body undergo an autopsy because it had only been a few hours since he was found dead and his family has not gotten a chance to see their son. Even after constant harassment from the policemen and after having an altercation with Commissioner Park Cheo-won, Prosecutor Choi denies all requests. Prosecutor Choi is fired and secretly leaves his paperwork on the incident to reporter Yoon Sang-sam who had been investigating the incident with intent to expose Commissioner Park Cheo-won’s crimes which are concealed as efforts for the country's well being. Yoon Sang-sam reveals that the true cause of death was by asphyxiation and not by sudden "cardiac arrest" as the government claimed. In an effort to save his career, Commissioner Park Cheo-won reveals that Lieutenant Jo Han-kyung and another detective were the culprits. In exchange the two detectives are promised a not guilty verdict but are instead tricked into serving time in prison for the torture and murder. There, Han Byung-yong is intr