Controversy Over Suspected "Tokyo Station" Image in 80th Liberation Anniversary Video
Ministry Sets Video to Private on YouTube Amid Backlash
Left-Side Traffic in Footage Suggests Scene Likely Shot in Japan
Outsourced Production Raises Conc
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has become embroiled in intense controversy over a video produced to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation. This is because it was confirmed that some scenes in the video included footage presumed to be of Tokyo Station in Japan. In response to the controversy, the Ministry set the video to private.
A video commemorating Liberation Day uploaded on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's YouTube channel is causing controversy for featuring an image presumed to be Tokyo Station. The video has currently been set to private. Internet community.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on August 18, the video titled "Carrying the Spirit of 80 Years of Liberation Into Tomorrow," which was released on the Ministry's YouTube channel on August 15, included scenes highlighting Korea's development. However, online communities pointed out that one scene in the video appeared to show Tokyo Station in Japan. Criticism continued as the footage also showed vehicles driving on the left side of the road, making it difficult to believe the scene was filmed in Korea. A similar video was also found on a stock footage site, described as "a timelapse of trains in Tokyo at night."
Netizens strongly objected, saying, "How could a Japanese railway appear in a video commemorating the 80th anniversary of Liberation?" and "This is clearly an act of betrayal." As the controversy spread, the Ministry set the video to private on August 17 without further explanation.
A Ministry official stated, "We understand that the outsourced production company used artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically scrape images and ended up using this footage. While we are still confirming whether it is actually Tokyo Station, considering the left-side traffic and narrow-gauge railway, it is highly likely to be in Japan." The official added, "We plan to conduct much more thorough reviews in the future."
A similar controversy occurred in 2022. At the time, the National Railroad Corporation was criticized for using an image of a Shinkansen train next to a Mugunghwa flower in a Liberation Day card news post, and issued an apology, stating, "There is no excuse for an institution with responsibility to use an inappropriate photo and cause discomfort." The recent video controversy involving the Ministry has led to criticism over the lack of a thorough review system in the production process of public institution videos.
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