Determined to Face Backlash or Declaring Pro-Japanese Faction?... Vehicle Covered with Rising Sun Flags Draws Frowns

Driving with Rising Sun flags on front and rear car windows
"As a Korean, I could not tolerate it"

A driver was reported to have driven on South Korean roads with a Rising Sun flag attached to their vehicle.

A vehicle driving on the road displaying the Rising Sun flag.
Photo by Online Community Screenshot

On the 27th, a post titled "Saw a vehicle with a Rising Sun flag on South Korean roads" was uploaded to an online community. The author, Mr. A, explained the situation, saying, "I couldn't believe my eyes on the road today," and "The vehicle driving in front of me had two Rising Sun flags attached to the rear window."

In the photo posted by Mr. A, two Rising Sun flags are attached to the rear window of the vehicle. The Rising Sun flag was used by Japan as a military flag during World War II and symbolizes Japanese militarism. It was especially controversial as it was prominently displayed as the army and navy flags during Japan's invasions of various Asian countries, including the Pacific War. Although Japan's defeat in 1945 temporarily halted the use of the Rising Sun flag, it was reinstated in 1954 as the military flag of the Ground Self-Defense Force (Self-Defense Force flag) and the Maritime Self-Defense Force (Self-Defense Ship flag). The Rising Sun flag continues to cause controversy as it is often used by Japan's far-right groups who deny its history of aggression or during sports events.

Mr. A said, "The same flag was attached not only to the rear window but also to the front windshield," and added, "As a Korean, I couldn't tolerate it and after much consideration, I decided to post this. Is there a way to report this?"

Netizens who saw the story responded with comments such as, "The owner must be Japanese," "They probably thought it was cool," "There are too many pro-Japanese collaborators in Korea," "It looks tacky," "Seems like they attached it deliberately to attract attention," "They must know they will be criticized for doing that in Korea," and "There are too many pathetic people."

A note left by a man only on Japanese brand cars.
[Photo by Online Community]

Meanwhile, in contrast, a story about a man who left notes on only Japanese brand vehicles with messages saying "Let's punish and eliminate pro-Japanese collaborators" became a hot topic on the 22nd. The author, Mr. B, who received such a note while visiting the Daegu court, explained, "The notes were attached not only to my car but also to Japanese brand vehicles like Lexus and Honda." The note read, "Pro-Japanese collaborators who led Korean youth to become cannon fodder for the Japanese army and who tortured and betrayed independence activists more harshly than the Japanese themselves! Weren't those who received titles, land, and money in return and lived in luxury anti-national traitors and pro-Japanese collaborators? Therefore, before we curse the Japanese, shouldn't we punish and eliminate these anti-national traitors first? Although late, they must be punished before the end of human society."