South Korea Clamps Down On Johnny Somali

Johnny Somali, a notorious YouTuber, has sparked outrage in South Korea after making insensitive gestures and comments at the Statue of Peace in Itaewon, a memorial dedicated to the thousands of Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese military during World War II. On October 9, Somali livestreamed himself kissing the statue and making provocative dance moves, igniting widespread condemnation from the South Korean public.

This isn’t Somali’s first controversy. He has a history of stirring up trouble in Japan, where he would mock locals at public places, including metro trains, by referencing the US nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His actions led to confrontations with Japanese citizens, and he was eventually banned from the country.

In another incident, Somali broke into a hotel under construction and recorded himself shouting “Fukushima” at construction workers. He was also rearrested for filming without permission inside a restaurant in Osaka and playing loud music.

Following the recent incident in South Korea, Somali faced physical retaliation from locals, with unverified Twitter images showing him being pushed and attacked in Seoul. To make matters worse, Somali is now under investigation for drug use and may face up to ten years in prison if found guilty.

In response to the backlash, Somali issued a public apology on November 7, stating, “I’m a young person, and I want to grow. I made a mistake… I apologize and will no longer talk about or touch the statue.” He delivered his apology in Korean, with the help of a translator, and bowed as per Korean custom.

The controversy surrounding Johnny Somali raises concerns about cultural sensitivity and respect for historical memorials. His actions have sparked outrage and calls for accountability, highlighting the importance of responsible behavior, especially when interacting with sensitive cultural symbols.

References and Citations:

• Theweek – US streamer Johnny Somali faces travel ban in South Korea after…
• Hindustimes – youtuber Johnny  Somali apologises for  kissing women  memorial statue in korea internet
• NDTV – us YouTuber kisses comfort  woman status in korea apologises later