'Rising Sun Flag Vehicle' Spotted Again... This Time Criticized for Inconsiderate Parking

Reports of 'Uk-ilgi Vehicles' Sighted Repeatedly in Seo-gu, Incheon
"Parking Spots Available but Vehicles Park Inconveniently... It's Uncomfortable"

Recently, there have been multiple reports of vehicles displaying the Rising Sun Flag, and now a story has emerged that the same vehicle has been repeatedly engaging in 'inconsiderate parking,' causing inconvenience to local residents, sparking public outrage.

A 'Rising Sun Flag vehicle' parked at the apartment entrance.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 4th, a post titled "Rising Sun Flag Inconsiderate Parking Vehicle" was uploaded to an online community. The author, Mr. A, who lives in the apartment complex, said, "There is a vehicle with the Rising Sun Flag attached to both the front and rear, parked at the entrance of the apartment for several days." He continued, "Previously, the vehicle was parked in the middle of the underground parking entrance, making it difficult to use the underground parking, and the police had to come and resolve the issue."

Photos posted by Mr. A show a white Mercedes-Benz parked on a narrow street. Two Rising Sun Flags are attached to the rear window of the vehicle. Mr. A revealed that "the vehicle is parked in Seo-gu, Incheon," disclosing his residential area. He added, "Even though there are parking spaces in the apartment, the vehicle is parked like that," expressing, "It is very inconvenient for the residents." He further stated, "Last time, the vehicle was parked at the recycling separation station, preventing collection trucks from entering, causing various inconveniences to the residents," and asked for advice on how to handle the situation.

Netizens who came across the story reacted with comments such as "I couldn't believe my eyes," "Why on earth would someone display the Rising Sun Flag in Korea," "They are pro-Japanese collaborators," "Korean people are too kind. They tolerate even when someone displays the Rising Sun Flag like that," and "Inconsiderate parking has crossed the line."

A 'Rising Sun Flag vehicle' parked at the apartment entrance.
Photo by Online Community Archive

Meanwhile, the vehicle has been spotted nationwide, fueling controversy. The Rising Sun Flag was used as a military flag by Japan during World War II and symbolizes Japanese militarism. It was especially used 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 halted, 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 their military flag, causing conflicts between countries.

Regarding the vehicle first spotted on the 27th of last month, the initial witness, Mr. B, said, "I couldn't believe my eyes on the road today," adding, "The vehicle driving in front of me had two Rising Sun Flags attached to the rear window. As a Korean, I cannot tolerate this. Can I report it?" Mr. C, who saw the vehicle on the 3rd, said, "There was a strange vehicle in front of my house; I looked at it for a second, was shocked, and looked again," adding, "(Despite such behavior in Korea) it seemed to have safely entered the house. I realized that South Korea is truly the safest country."