American YouTuber Johnny Somali has sparked widespread criticism after a controversial video showed him engaging in disrespectful behavior toward a statue dedicated to Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during the occupation of Korea.
The incident occurred at Changdong History and Culture Park in Seoul, where Somali was filmed on October 9 kissing the Statue of Peace in Itaewon and dancing in front of the memorial. The statue serves as a tribute to the thousands of young Korean women who suffered sexual enslavement by the Japanese military between 1910 and 1945.
Facing backlash, Somali apologized in a video shared by YouTube channel Jcompany, where he stood beside the statue and expressed regret. Bowing as a gesture of respect, he addressed the Korean public, saying, “I want to apologize to Koreans. I didn’t understand the significance of the statue.”
Somali admitted he had intended the act as entertainment for his American viewers but now acknowledged its disrespectful nature. Concluding his apology in Korean, he said, “I’m truly sorry.”
Despite his apology, Somali’s actions have continued to draw criticism, with many Koreans and others condemning the incident as a display of cultural insensitivity and lack of respect.
SOURCE: vanguardngr
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