Son Heung-min Profile Picture Used to Mock Comfort Women, Asian Cup Instagram Descends into Chaos "No Management?"

Organized Derogatory Comments Targeting Comfort Women Victims
Professor Seo Kyung-duk Sends Protest Email to AFC

Two days before the opening of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup, a controversy has arisen as comments belittling the victims of the Japanese military's comfort women have been repeatedly posted on AFC's official social networking service (SNS). On the 10th, Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women's University stated on SNS, "Comments mocking Korean history were posted on the AFC Asian Cup Instagram," emphasizing, "Especially, comments belittling the victims of the Japanese military's comfort women were posted systematically, so action is definitely needed."

Some derogatory comments about Japanese military comfort women victims posted on AFC's Instagram. This account has committed absurd acts such as unauthorized use of Son Heung-min's portrait rights as their profile picture. [Photo by Professor Seo Kyung-duk Facebook]

He pointed out, "Most of the absurd comments include statements such as 'During World War II, Japan impregnated Korean women and is ashamed of their own history and identity' and 'Koreans are proud of Japanese people'." He criticized, "Above all, it is problematic that images depicting Japanese soldiers assaulting comfort women using dots are continuously posted in the comment section." He added, "Ridiculous acts such as unauthorized use of Son Heung-min's portrait rights as profile pictures on their accounts are also taking place."

Some derogatory comments about Japanese military comfort women victims on AFC Instagram posts [Photo source=Professor Seokyung Deok's Facebook]

In a protest email sent to the AFC, Professor Seo demanded, "Delete as many comments mocking the victims of the Japanese military's comfort women as soon as possible, and definitely block the accounts of these unreasonable football fans." Lastly, attaching a video related to the Japanese military's comfort women, he emphasized, "I hope the AFC also faces the history of Asia and once again recalls the importance of women's human rights."

Meanwhile, the Asian Cup tournament will open in Qatar on the 12th. Korea, belonging to Group E, will play its first match against Bahrain at 8:30 PM on the 15th. Group E includes Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, and Bahrain. Having never won the championship since 1960, Korea aims for victory after 64 years.