'Rising Sun Flag Rickshaw' Roams New York, Seok Kyung-deok: "Numerous Reports... Unacceptable Incident"

Professor Seokyeongdeok "Sent Protest Email to New York City Authorities"

Professor Seokyeongdeok of Sungshin Women's University revealed that tourist rickshaws displaying the 'Rising Sun Flag' are still roaming throughout New York City, and he has sent a protest email to the New York City authorities.

On the 15th, Professor Seokyeongdeok said on his Facebook, "I have recently received numerous reports from the New York area about the same issue," and opened by saying, "It is that tourist rickshaws decorated with the Rising Sun Flag are still circulating in Central Park, one of the world's most famous tourist destinations."

[Image source=Seokyeongdeok, Professor at Sungshin Women's University, Facebook]

He continued, "After learning about this through several informants last year, I immediately sent a protest email to the Central Park office, but it seems no action has been taken," and pointed out, "The bigger problem is that these rickshaws are not only roaming within Central Park but are also active throughout various parts of New York City."

He explained, "It is truly unacceptable that a large Rising Sun Flag is displayed in New York, one of the most visited tourist cities in the world," and added, "This time, I sent a protest email not to the Central Park office but to the New York City authorities. I also attached videos related to the Rising Sun Flag to help the officials understand the issue."

In his protest email, Professor Seokyeongdeok reportedly emphasized, "(The Rising Sun Flag) was the flag Japan prominently displayed when invading various Asian countries in the past, symbolizing Japanese militarism and imperialism," and added, "For the many Asian tourists visiting New York, it is an act that reminds them of the horrors of war."

[Image source=Seokyeongdeok, Professor at Sungshin Women's University, Facebook]

The Rising Sun Flag is considered a war criminal flag symbolizing Japanese imperialism, similar to the swastika flag of Nazi Germany. Earlier, on the 12th, Professor Seokyeongdeok also issued a warning regarding the Rising Sun Flag. He stated that if the flag is spotted during the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup, he would report it to the F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

Professor Seokyeongdeok pointed out, "The Rising Sun Flag has always caused trouble at the Asian Cup," and said, "If the Japanese cheering squad displays the Rising Sun Flag again at this Qatar Asian Cup, it will be an inconsiderate act that reminds Asians of the horrors of war crimes committed by Japan in the past."