An apartment resident in Busan displayed the Rising Sun flag on Memorial Day. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEJONG, Jun. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – In the wake of an apartment resident in Busan facing public backlash for displaying the Rising Sun flag on Memorial Day, the Sejong City Council is pursuing an ordinance prohibiting the use of Japanese imperialist symbols in public spaces.
According to the city council on June 17, its Administrative Welfare Committee recently passed an ordinance bill proposed by council member Kim Young-hyun to restrict the use of Japanese imperialist symbols.
The proposed ordinance would ban the display of symbols representing Japanese imperialism at facilities and locations managed by the city of Sejong, the city council, affiliated institutions, invested organizations and other municipal bodies.
If approved at a plenary session, the ordinance would strictly limit the use of military flags, sculptures and emblems associated with Japanese imperialism, as well as any symbols intended to evoke such imagery.
Additionally, the ordinance mandates that the mayor strives to prevent the public use of imperialist symbols and can demand corrective action from organizations or groups violating the ban.
“I proposed this ordinance to uphold our ethnic spirit, maintain good customs, and establish a proper historical perception,” said council member Kim.
However, the ordinance lacks penalty provisions for public institutions using banned symbols, nor can it restrict private households from raising the Rising Sun flag, which are seen as limitations.
“Penalizing public bodies or regulating private homes would conflict with higher laws, so those measures couldn’t be included,” Kim explained. “But I will continue efforts to enact related legislation.”
The backlash began when an apartment resident in Busan hung two Rising Sun flags along with a banner reading “Civil-Government Fraud Drama” on the exterior of their residence on Memorial Day, June 6, before removing them that evening.
As news of the incident spread through media and social platforms, a torrent of public criticism ensued, with the resident facing malicious comments and garbage dumped in front of their home.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
