Controversy Over Displaying the Rising Sun Flag Instead of the Taegeukgi
"I Hate Korea... Defending Japan Cooperation"
On the afternoon of March 1st, Samiljeol, the Japanese flag was hung on the flagpole of a balcony in an apartment in Sejong City. [Image source=Yonhap News]
It has been reported that a resident of Sejong City who displayed the Rising Sun Flag on March 1st expressed support for President Yoon Suk-yeol's March 1st commemorative speech.
On the morning of March 1st, the day of the March 1st Movement anniversary, it was revealed through online communities that a Rising Sun Flag, rather than a Taegeukgi, was raised on the balcony of an apartment in Hansol-dong, Sejong City. This news quickly spread among the apartment residents, leading to a flood of complaints and inquiry calls to the management office.
The management office and police, who received reports, requested the resident to take down the Rising Sun Flag, but the resident refused, saying, "This is a private matter, do not interfere." Although Sejong City began investigating the circumstances, there was no legal basis to forcibly remove the flag, so they could only repeatedly request voluntary removal.
It was reported that the resident cited President Yoon’s March 1st commemorative speech as the reason for displaying the Rising Sun Flag. In an interview with JTBC, he stated, “(President Yoon) mentioned that Japan is a cooperative country, so I hope this can be seen as a symbol expressing a supportive stance.”
Earlier, at the 104th anniversary March 1st commemorative ceremony, President Yoon said, “A century after the March 1st Movement, Japan has transformed from a militaristic aggressor of the past into a cooperative partner sharing universal values with us, collaborating on security, economy, and global agendas.”
According to Yonhap News, the resident revealed the background for raising the Rising Sun Flag by saying, “I am Japanese, and I hate Korea very much.” However, it was reported that his nationality was recorded as ‘Korean’ on the apartment resident card, and his exact nationality or identity has not been confirmed.
Online communities posted eyewitness accounts from apartment residents who met this individual. One writer said, “I got angry after reading the article and went to confront him. When my husband shouted loudly from outside to come out, he finally did,” adding, “He immediately said things like ‘Joseonjing’ (a derogatory term for Koreans), ‘Daeggae-moon’ (a derogatory term for pro-Moon Jae-in supporters), ‘We earn more money and pay more property tax,’ and ‘You live off our taxes.’”
Meanwhile, as citizens’ protests and media coverage continued, the Rising Sun Flag was eventually taken down around 4 p.m. that day.
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