'Insulting the Statue of a Girl' YouTuber Provokes Again... Raises Rising Sun Flag and Says "Takeshima"

Professor Seokyeongdeok: "Strong Punishment Needed to Prevent Recurrence"

American YouTuber Johnny Somali, who sparked controversy by mocking the Statue of Peace in South Korea, has reportedly been subject to a travel ban.

Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women's University pointed out on his Facebook on the 1st, "Many netizens reported that (Somali) provoked Koreans during his YouTube broadcast yesterday by displaying the Rising Sun Flag on his laptop screen and saying, 'It's not Dokdo but Takeshima.'"

He added, "Especially insulting the Statue of Peace, using the Rising Sun Flag, and shouting Takeshima (the name Japan claims for Dokdo) is an act of denying the history of the Republic of Korea."

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

Earlier, Somali conducted a live broadcast on YouTube for about three hours the previous day. Regarding his various misbehaviors in Korea, he said, "I am not sorry. If you want me to kneel and apologize, I will refuse." Somali also mentioned the comfort women victims during the Japanese colonial period, saying, "It was prostitution. It was voluntary, and they worked legally for money. They earned several times more than the Japanese military and were wealthy."

Additionally, he kissed the screen displaying a photo of President Yoon Suk-yeol, saying, "I love you. You are a great leader." He then sarcastically praised, "Thank you for having the police protect me from YouTubers. They are much better than the Japanese police." Suddenly, he changed his attitude, making obscene gestures toward President Yoon and uttering sexually harassing remarks.

In response, Professor Seo emphasized, "Insulting the Statue of Peace, using the Rising Sun Flag, and shouting Takeshima (the name Japan claims for Dokdo) is an act of denying the history of the Republic of Korea," and stressed, "Strong punishment, not a slap on the wrist, should be imposed to set a good example so that such incidents do not recur."

Meanwhile, Somali is under investigation for disturbing the work of convenience store employees by playing music and dancing at a convenience store in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 17th of last month. The Seoul Songpa Police Station is also investigating after receiving a 112 report alleging that Somali used drugs.