"That's Not Our Taegeukgi": Incorrect Korean Flags Found on Dubai Buses and Tottenham Poster

Errors in the Taegeukgi Found in Tottenham’s Celebration Poster
Mistakes Also Detected on Dubai City Tour Buses and at Mexico City Airport Arrivals

Professor Seo Kyung-deok, known as the "Korea Informer," pointed out that even in this 80th anniversary year of Liberation Day, incorrect versions of the Taegeukgi, the national flag of Korea, are still being used around the world.

A Liberation Day celebration poster posted on Tottenham Hotspur's official social media account. Photo by Seokyoungdeok, professor at Sungshin Women's University

On August 20, Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women's University stated, "Through reports from overseas Koreans in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, we have confirmed many cases." He presented examples of "incorrect Taegeukgi" being used in various places worldwide.

Tottenham Hotspur, a prestigious club in the English Premier League (EPL), posted a poster on its official social media on August 15 with the message, "Congratulations on the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation." However, the poster included several incorrectly drawn Taegeukgi flags. Regarding this, Professor Seo commented, "I am grateful that they remembered and celebrated Korea's Liberation Day even after Son Heung-min left the team," but also pointed out, "It is disappointing that many of the Taegeukgi flags in the poster were drawn incorrectly."

Dubai city bus tour exterior. Photo by Seokyung Deok Sungshin Women's University professor

Incorrect Taegeukgi flags were found elsewhere as well. On the Dubai city tour buses, which are used by tourists from around the world, various national flags are displayed, but the Taegeukgi was depicted incorrectly. At the arrivals hall of Mexico City Airport, among the flags set up to welcome tourists, there was also a case where the Taegeukgi’s trigrams were incorrect.

Professor Seo emphasized, "Rather than simply pointing out the misuse, it is important to provide accurate information so that corrections can be made quickly." He added, "I will do my best to continue correcting not only the cases reported this time but also any future cases that come to light, because the Taegeukgi is the symbol of the Republic of Korea."