Reports Continue of Mercedes-Benz Vehicles Displaying Rising Sun Flags
Driving with Two Rising Sun Flags on Rear Window
"Seemed Like Someone Seeking Attention," Criticism Arises
Last month, it became controversial when it was revealed that a driver was cruising on South Korean roads with a Rising Sun Flag attached to their vehicle. Since then, the owner of the vehicle has continued to drive around with the Rising Sun Flag, spreading reports of 'Rising Sun Flag vehicle sightings.'
A Mercedes-Benz vehicle with a Rising Sun flag attached to the rear window. Please note that sensitive personal information such as the vehicle number has been pixelated. [Photo by Online Community]
On the 3rd, a post titled "A famous car came to our neighborhood" was uploaded to an online community. The author, Mr. A, began by saying, "I saw a strange car while going to the supermarket in front of my house, glanced at it for a second, was surprised, and looked again." The photo Mr. A posted along with the text shows a white Mercedes-Benz parked in a residential alleyway with two Rising Sun Flags attached to the rear window.
The Rising Sun Flag was a military flag used by Japan during World War II and symbolizes Japanese militarism. It was especially used as a military flag by the army and navy during invasions of various Asian countries, including the Pacific War. After Japan's defeat in 1945, the use of the Rising Sun Flag was temporarily suspended, but less than ten years later, in 1954, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Self-Defense Force flag) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Self-Defense Ship flag) resumed using the Rising Sun Flag as a military flag.
Mr. A explained, "It seems they safely returned home even after doing that (in Korea). I realized that South Korea is the safest country." He added, "They seem like a person with incredible audacity and stubbornness. Seeing the Rising Sun Flag vehicle in person, it felt less like anger and more like someone wanting attention." Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "Is this still the Japanese colonial era?", "Pro-Japanese collaborators are boldly raising their heads," "What were they thinking when they put that on?", "I can't believe people didn't say anything after seeing that. Koreans are too kind," "Looks like they're touring nationwide," and "It's obvious they want attention."
Seoul City Bans Exhibition and Sale of Japanese Imperialist Symbols
Earlier, on the 27th of last month, sightings of the same vehicle also sparked controversy on social networking services (SNS) and online communities. At that time, a netizen Mr. B, who witnessed the vehicle, claimed, "I couldn't believe my eyes on the road today," and said, "The vehicle driving in front of me had two Rising Sun Flags attached to the rear window." The photo Mr. B posted shows the same model vehicle as the one Mr. A saw, with two Rising Sun Flags attached to the rear window. Mr. B added, "There were Rising Sun Flags attached not only to the rear window but also to the front windshield," and asked, "As a Korean, I couldn't tolerate it. Is there a way to report this?"
Seoul City has established an ordinance called the 'Regulation on the Restriction of Use of Japanese Imperialist Symbols,' which prohibits the exhibition or sale of military flags and sculptures symbolizing Japanese imperialism, as well as 'other symbols' used for similar purposes, in public places. However, since this is only an ordinance, voices demanding stronger punishment are growing louder.
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