'Rising Sun Flag Benz' Controversy Followed by 'Rising Sun Flag Rider'
Seok Kyung-deok's Anger "Providing Excuse to Japan...
Strong Punishment Law Needed to Prevent Recurrence"
Recently, a Mercedes-Benz vehicle adorned with the Rising Sun Flag, a symbol of Japanese militarism and a war crime flag, has sparked public outrage. Now, a rider wearing a Rising Sun Flag T-shirt has appeared, causing further controversy.
On the 26th, Professor Seokyungdeok from Sungshin Women's University posted on his social media, "I learned about this from many netizens who reported the (Rising Sun Flag Mercedes-Benz incident)," and added, "A rider wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the Japanese Rising Sun Flag has appeared riding a motorcycle in the middle of South Korean roads, causing another controversy."
The photo shared by Professor Seo shows a rider on a red motorcycle wearing a T-shirt with the Rising Sun Flag printed on it. The man appears to be calmly observing his surroundings, seemingly indifferent to the attention from bystanders.
Previously, a driver who covered the exterior of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle with multiple Rising Sun Flags caused a major uproar on social media and online communities. The Rising Sun Flag was used as a military flag by Japan during World War II and symbolizes Japanese militarism. It was prominently displayed by the army and navy during Japan's invasions of various Asian countries, including the Pacific War, which intensified the controversy. Although Japan ceased using the Rising Sun Flag after its defeat in 1945, it resumed use 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 so-called 'Rising Sun Flag Mercedes-Benz' owner retaliated against citizens who pointed out the issue by engaging in reckless driving and illegally parked within an apartment complex, blocking garbage trucks from accessing the recycling area. The owner even reported citizens who tried to remove the Rising Sun Flag stickers, further fueling the controversy.
Professor Seo stated, "At times like this, instead of only expressing criticism and anger, we should take this opportunity to enact strong 'punishment laws' to prevent such incidents from happening again," and criticized, "These thoughtless acts repeated within Korea only provide an excuse for Japan to continue using the Rising Sun Flag."
Currently, there is no clear official punishment law related to the Rising Sun Flag. The 'Seoul Metropolitan Ordinance on the Restriction of the Use of Japanese Imperialist Symbols' prohibits the display or sale of military flags and sculptures symbolizing Japanese imperialism, including the Rising Sun Flag, in public places. However, since it is only an ordinance, its legal binding power is limited.
In response, Moon Jin-seok, a member of the Democratic Party representing Cheonan Gap in Chungnam, introduced a bill on the 21st of last month to punish those who use or wear the Rising Sun Flag, a symbol of Japanese imperialism. The bill is titled the Rising Sun Flag Use Punishment Act (Partial Amendment to the Criminal Act).
According to the amendment, anyone who manufactures, distributes, uses, or wears clothing or items containing the Rising Sun Flag domestically, or displays it in crowded public places, may face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 5 million won. Representative Moon emphasized, "We cannot tolerate the use of the Rising Sun Flag, a symbol of Japanese imperialism, on the territory of the Republic of Korea, which was achieved through the sacrifices of our patriotic ancestors," and added, "We will strictly punish the use of the Rising Sun Flag to set history right."
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