South Korean Soccer Player Mocks “Japanese Monkeys”

South Korean soccer player Ki Sung-Yueng (aka David Ki and Ki Sung-Yong) has drawn some attention for a little performance he put on after scoring a penalty kick vs. Japan in a 2011 Asia Cup semi-final match:

The gesture has been interpreted in both Japan and Korea as an intentional mockery of the Japanese. Apparently Koreans sometimes insult the Japanese by referring to them as monkeys [倭猿?].

After Korea lost the match, Ki was interviewed about the monkey performance. He claimed it had no particular meaning. However, messages later posted on his Twitter account stated that he had been angered by the sight of rising sun flags in the stadium. He also wrote something about how being a Korean was more important than being a soccer player. Both tweets have been interpreted as defenses of his monkey act.

This morning’s Sankei Sports newspaper states that there is a possibility that FIFA could deal out some kind of punishment to Ki if it is ruled that his actions were indeed meant to insult the Japanese.

Update: The Japan Football Association has decided not to file any official complaints about the incident.

Here is a helpful timeline:

Ki does his monkey act.
After the game, Korean reporters, who have interpreted his act as an intentional mockery of Japan, ask him about it. He refuses to explain the meaning of the act.
Ki posts tweets about being angry at the Japanese rising sun flags that some fans brought to the stadium. He also tweets about thinking of himself as Korean first, and a soccer player second.
Tweets seem to confirm it was an anti-Japanese gesture. This triggers more media attention and there is is talk of official punishment.
Ki suddenly produces a story about how his monkey act was aimed at fans of Scotland’s St Johnstone FC, who taunted him in November 2010 by making monkey noises. You see, it wasn’t actually a reference to the familiar “Japanese monkey” slur – it was really a message to a small group of Scottish fans who had mocked him 3 months ago. ( Surely those racist fans must have been watching a Japan vs. Korea soccer match! )
JFA accepts Ki’s convoluted explanation, does not file complaint.

Prior to Ki’s “I did it to mock racist people in Scotland” excuse, some Korean netizens had been defending Ki’s actions by explaining that the Japanese provoked him. These photos, which were ~~taken that day at the stadium~~, show the “provocative” behavior of Japanese fans:

In the top picture we can see the Japanese Naval Ensign. The bottom picture shows several Japanese fans wearing Kim Yu-na masks.

Update II: The above photographs were not even taken at the match in question! Korean netizens (and the media) are using a photo from a match against the Netherlands and the Kim Yu-na masks are from October 2010.

So far, there is no photographic evidence that Japanese fans even had a rising sun flag in the stadium!

—

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99 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - January 27, 2011 at 8:38 am

Categories: Anti-Japan Tags:

http://www.billowykimono.com Senor Science

How unsportsmanlike like but this isn’t unexpected from the same nation that acted like asses during both WBC’s.
- Anonymous
  
  But unsportsmanlike behavior is the very nature of sports!
Colin

Well, if it’s of any comfort, the Korean people at the end did a somewhat shoddy drawing 日本沈没 (“The Sinking of Japan” – And old Japanese movie). And i think someone above that mistook the symbol for Korea for the symbol for Pepsi. So yeah. Take them apples, Korea.
Gummysaur

Mmmm, yeah. Acting like that will totally help foster better relations with Japan and not inspire young fans to accept mocking the Japanese as a totally okay thing to do. I’m sorry, I know Korea and Japan have bad relations due to Japan being so crappy to Korea, but how does acting so immaturely help people look beyond the atrocities of the past to looking to a brighter future where the countries can get along? People should learn from past mistakes, not hold a grudge against people who can’t do anything about it now.
There are surely more enlightened people in Japan that do feel that the war was terrible and the treatment of Korea was disgusting. And Koreans that refuse to hate Japan for things that cannot be undone. There are children who have done nothing who will be judged based on the fact that they’re Japanese or Korean, not for the measure of who they are as individuals. Ki is a sports player, he is an influence to young children, if his views aren’t positive or favorable towards Japan or any country, he should keep them to himself lest he set the idea that such behavior is a quality to emulate.
MrUSA

A man so proud of his country wouldn’t care if he saw the flag of another country. This is just more of the same Korean inferiority complex.
- cool
  
  It was the imperial flag.
  
  And for people that say its just a navy flag, lets be honest, it was brought to offend.
  - http://www.japanprobe.com James
    
    It was the imperial flag.
    
    And so was the current “red dot” Japanese flag.
    
    And the flags of most European states were also “imperial” flags when those countries had overseas empires.
    
    lets be honest, it was brought to offend.
    
    I’ve seen the rising sun flag in the stands at various sporting events, often when Japan is playing against countries that it never invaded or occupied. Most Japanese people don’t think of it as an “imperial” flag, they just see it as a cool-looking variation of their flag.
    - http://www.killerjo.net Zoo
      
      @James
      
      Unfortunately to a Korean or Chinese, rising the Imperial Rising Sun Flag is like raising a Nazis flag against the Jews.
      
      “And so was the current “red dot” Japanese flag.
      
      And the flags of most European states were also “imperial” flags when those countries had overseas empires.”
      
      The Imperial Flag in this case is the one that had the extended rays; it is the Japanese military banner even as of today. It is very clear it is meant to offend.
      
      The normal Japanese flag is also an Imperial flag, but is also commonly accepted it is the flag that represent modern Japan just like those other “Imperial flags” of Europe. The “Imperial Japanese flag” is not commonly accepted as the representative of the Kingdom of Japan but rather commonly interpreted as the sign of Japanese Imperialism just like the Nazis Flag (Mind you it is the German nation’s flag during the Nazis regime).
      
      “I’ve seen the rising sun flag in the stands at various sporting events, often when Japan is playing against countries that it never invaded or occupied. Most Japanese people don’t think of it as an “imperial” flag, they just see it as a cool-looking variation of their flag.”
      
      Yes, when it is not about your race, it is hard to sympathize (Humans are very selfih by nature, as long as it don’t bother you, who cares right?). Even in today’s Asia, Korea, japan, China, Mongolia, Vietnam and Thailand, people think it is very cool and funny to dress like Nazis. Fortunately, no one had do that to a synagogue or in Israel yet. In fact, from some forums in the West, many westerners (to be fair, some don’t care, but from my exp, a lot do)are just amazed how ignorant are the E.Asians with the Nazis symbolism and take offensive to that. But to your average E. Asian, they just think the Nazis flag is cool and “bad ass” because the Nazis weren’t putting their kind into the ghetto during ww2.
    - Yuri
      
      BELIEVE ME! I AM JAPANESE AND THAT FLAG REPRESENTS RUDENESS TO KOREAN!!!!!!!!!
    - takk
      
      About the flag: the proof of a picture from Korean TV, SBS, was from World Cup 2010 Japan vs Netherlands in South Africa not the game against Korea, in Qatar 2011. (you can see Netherlands’ flag on the picture. And there is no 2nd floor stands at the stadium.) The leader of J-supporters, who made the rising sun flag on the picture, mentions on his twitter that he made it to show his hope for a new japanese star player like Nakata at World Cup 2010. So the flag is designed with Nakata’s back angle and his number 7. He also mentions that he didn’t bring the flag to the Asia Cup 2011 considering not to offend or have any issue with any other asian countries. But he also mentions that there is a possibility that some J-supportes not from his group might have brought rising sun flag to the stadium.
  - andrew
    
    lets be honest that flag is used in the west alot on clothes in adverts in graphics on tv..its not offensive and its no excuse for racism in the present day.
    - http://www.killerjo.net Zoo
      
      @Andrew
      
      Are you talk about the “Nazis” or “Imperial Japanese flag”? As far as I am concern, the Nazis flag is still very much offensive in the West but not so much the “Imperial Japanese flag” because they weren’t the one invaded by Japan. There are still survivors of WW2 in China and Korea that suffered from Imperial Japan’s aggression.
      
      In Asia, it was not offensive to dressed yourself up as a Nazis, in fact, many E.Asians actually find it very trendy and cool to pretend to be one. But not so much in the West , Nazism is always put alongside with evil because the West still have a lot of survivors who suffered from Hitler’s tyranny. This is why never pretend to be Nazis in public in America, it just dam rude (In E. Asia many times,people just find it funny).
      
      Come on guys, how cultural insensitive can people get? The logic isn’t very hard to comprehend.
    - andrew
      
      rising sun flag
      as was reply to original message topic
    - Mat
      
      1. THERE WAS NO RISING SUN FLAG IN THE STADIUM.(The picture shown is from South Africa.)
      
      2. Ki Sung-Yueng had commented prior to the game:
      “I consider this is a war.”
      “I don’t care if I get an yellow card.”
      
      3. He said he was angry because of the Rising Sun flag.
      
      4. Even in Korea, many criticized him. And it went farther than he has expected.
      
      5. He changed his excuse to the fresh version.(Racism in Scotland)
      
      What he did is just wrong, silly, and puzzling.
- Joe
  
  How is South Korea inferior? South Korea is one of the fastest growing countries in the world.
  Also, the flag could have different meanings to everyone. I’m not Japanese or Korean. But I believe calling one another inferior is wrong.
  Especially when the country they played against killed and invaded them not to long ago.
Vonskippy

Everyone should just throw banana’s at him – lol.

After all, if black face is funny, then the monkey face must be too – right?
- Jeffrey
  
  The odd thing about this is that because “Japanese stock” is approximately 50% Korean, it stands to reason that if Japanese look like monkeys then so do Koreans.
jcpb

Koreans never cease to amaze with their displays of inferiority.
ha

Korea lost the cup in post-match penalty kick by 3-0. who is the monkey now?
kenji

Ki Sung Yong = monkey. The picture says it all. He’s making fun of himself! hahahahaha
kaneoven

Ok first of all I don’t think any of the people know what the imperial rise flag means

between the Japanese and Koreans.

If I contrast it to Europe right now, that would be an action some random German guy

bringing in Hakenkreuz flag(Nazi symbol) into a freaking Germany vs France soccer game.

Of course when this happens, the action cannot be justified, as of a fact, that German fan

would not be able to go into the stadium because he will probably get mugged in front of the

place.

The Hakenkreuz means lot to European, the massacre of European population who didn’t have

blue eyes and gold hair in WWII.

The United States also bans this sign. The same impact to Asia. Japan took over Korea and

China and like the Germans did, they created a program called Maruta in order to experiment

human beings like in the Jewish prison camp. The Imperial sun rise flag symboilizes

“we pwned and raped your country you slaves”. For that Ki acted back with a monkey ceremony.

Does this ceremoney look that immature? Think yourself
- http://www.japanprobe.com James
  
  The flag used by fans was the Japanese Naval flag. It was adopted for use in the 1880’s, far before the Japanese occupation and colonization of Korea. It pre-dates Japanese fascism and the military conquest of Asia.
  
  It is isn’t at all similar to the Hakenkreuz flag, which was adopted as the flag of Germany by the Nazis. The Hakenkreuz flag is a symbol of Nazism.
  
  If you want to ban the Rising Sun flag from soccer matches, you should also support a ban on the flags of all former Imperial powers.
  - kaneoven
    
    You just stated in your comment “Japanese occupation and colonization of Korea”
    
    Does that justify the action of the japanese fan bringing in a flag that would
    
    create a controversey?
    
    Dude.. read my post again please. What do you think Nazism mean?
    
    It was a symbol that signifies that Nazi the army the navy the airforce, the whole
    
    upper class that dictated and dominated the German during the time period.
    
    I was ‘contrasting’ it to the japanese imperial flag, and I assume you would understand
    
    what I wrote. Your like talking about brownies when I’m stating a point in Elephants.
    - Carnivale
      
      1. Actually, your comparison with the Swastika is a poor one. A better analogy would be the Iron Cross which incidentally is still the symbol of the German Armed Forces of today. As James stated, the Rising Sun flag does not symbolize Japan’s fascist expansionism any more than Germany’s Iron Cross symbolizes the Nazis.
      
      2. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to think that the Rising Sun means “we pwned and raped your country you slaves.” That’s an absolutely fictional innovation on your part. If you believe that, then it’s your fault for not being better informed.
      
      3. ” For that Ki acted back with a monkey ceremony.
      
      Does this ceremoney look that immature? Think yourself”
      
      Yes it does look immature. Even if the flag meant something sinister (which has been thoroughly debunked), the mature thing to do is not a disrespectful performance of crude hypernationalist gesture. It’s quite telling that even Ki does not own up to the meaning of his caricature until he’s back in his cocoon and surrounded with other small-minded enablers.
  - Jason
    
    That BS excuse people have been using that the rising sun flag is a naval flag, so it’s “ok” to bring to international matches is really ignorant. Do you actually think other nations are going to buy that reason?? What’s wrong with your current national flag of the red sun on the white background? Why bring a flag that was carried on all military campaigns to conquer Asia? Don’t give that excuse that it’s a co-flag of Japan because NO non-Japanese is buying it. Regardless of how long ago Japan had that flag, it became to symbolize their failed imperialist ambitions. Ambitions that entailed killing countless people in Asia. This new wave of nationalism in Japan is very disturbing.
    - http://www.japanprobe.com James
      
      That BS excuse people have been using that the rising sun flag is a naval flag
      
      From the photos I’ve seen of the stadium, it looks like the off-center rising sun flag, which looks very much like the naval ensign currently used by the MSDF.
      
      Do you actually think other nations are going to buy that reason??
      
      Japanese fans bring the rising sun flag to international sporting competitions all the time. Most countries don’t seem to have a problem with it.
      
      What’s wrong with your current national flag of the red sun on the white background?
      
      Your question seems to imply that the current national flag is okay. If that’s the case, the rising sun flag should also be okay. Both were adopted around the same time.
      
      Why bring a flag that was carried on all military campaigns to conquer Asia?
      
      Both the rising sun flag and the current Japanese national flag were carried on all military campaigns to conquer Asia.
      
      The current flags of many European countries were also carried on all their respective military campaigns to conquer and subjugate other countries.
    - http://tepido.org/ LB
      
      Why bring a flag that was carried on all military campaigns to conquer Asia?
      
      The standard Hinomaru was also carried on all those campaigns. In fact, I would be willing to wager there were far more “standard” Hinomaru flags on battlefields than there were “rayed” battle flags. So your point was again…?
      
      NO non-Japanese is buying it
      
      Ah, there it was. And we are supposed to care whether non-Japanese “buy it” or not because…?
      
      it became to symbolize [Japan’s] failed imperialist ambitions
      
      True. Ambitions that died and were buried 65 years ago. Like the song says, “That was then and THIS… IS… NOW”
      
      When you going to stop living in the past?
    - Jason
      
      “The standard Hinomaru was also carried on all those campaigns. In fact, I would be willing to wager there were far more “standard” Hinomaru flags on battlefields than there were “rayed” battle flags. So your point was again…?”
      You would be willing to wager? Why don’t you ask people who were there. My father says he remembers that rising fun flag a lot more than the simple red sun on white. So, if your short attention span forgot my point…it was that that rising sun flag was the flag on all your warships, planes, and troop flag bearers when they were running around Asia trying to compensate for their Napoleon complexes.
      
      “Ah, there it was. And we are supposed to care whether non-Japanese “buy it” or not because…?”
      Ah….maybe you’re supposed to care because you are trying so hard to come up with a legitimate reason to justify bringing that scarred flag to international matches. Or maybe you are supposed to care just as you do seem to be so offended by a simple monkey imitation by a goofy kid soccer player.
      
      “Ambitions that died and were buried 65 years ago. Like the song says, “That was then and THIS… IS… NOW” When you going to stop living in the past?”
      True…the past is the past. So, why must we bring old painful symbols back into friendly international matches? Maybe some will stop living in the past when others will stop reminding them of the past…by bringing wartime symbols. Last time I checked, the red sun hinomaru was officially dubbed Japan’s national flag. So, why bring a “naval flag” to a soccer match? I didn’t see any sailors.
    - http://www.japanprobe.com James
      
      You would be willing to wager? Why don’t you ask people who were there. My father says he remembers that rising fun flag a lot more than the simple red sun on white.
      
      All due respect to your father, but his recollections don’t counter LB’s point at all. I also had a family member who witnessed the second Sino-Japanese war, and his photo album had plenty of “standard” Japanese flags in it.
      
      In just 30 seconds of googling, I found the following photographs of Japanese soldiers carrying red dot flags into battle against China:
      
      http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/3250957
      http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/3088048/Hulton-Archive
      http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/2636082/Hulton-Archive
      http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/3262695
      http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/HU006545.html
      http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/72795507/Getty-Images-News
      http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/2636247/Hulton-Archive
      http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/105212195/Gamma-Keystone
      http://www.gettyimages.co.jp/detail/3362319/Hulton-Archive
      
      it was that that rising sun flag was the flag on all your warships, planes, and troop flag bearers when they were running around Asia trying to compensate for their Napoleon complexes.
      
      “your”? Both LB and myself are American, and almost everyone leaving comments here is not Japanese. Pretty sad that you have to assume anyone who doesn’t agree with your view must be one of the Japanese.
      
      The rising sun was not commonly used on Japanese planes. They used a big red dot, which Americans sometimes called “meatballs.” Here’s an example:
      
      http://www.odt.co.nz/files/story/2010/01/a_world_war_2_mitsubishi_zero_fighter_aircraft_pho_1569966234.JPG
      
      The above photos show that the current Japanese flag was frequently carried into battle by Japanese soldiers. Hardly a Rising Sun monopoly in that department.
      
      I will give you the ships thing, though: it is a naval ensign, and it’s still being used today as the main naval flag.
      
      a legitimate reason to justify bringing that scarred flag to international matches.
      
      You seem to think that it’s perfectly legitimate for Japanese to bring their current national flag to soccer matches. But it was extensively used during the conquest of Asia, which should make it just as much a “scarred” or “wartime symbol” as the Rising Sun flag.
      
      If people in every country were to start thinking of flags in the same way that Korean nationalists think about them, FIFA should ban the current Japanese flag, as well as any other flag that has been carried into battle by soldiers invading another country.
    - ZZ
      
      Have to agree with James and LB here.
      
      You would be willing to wager? Why don’t you ask people who were there. My father says he remembers that rising fun flag a lot more than the simple red sun on white.
      
      With continued reverence to father, I would suspect that he was in the Navy, which of course operates against a much different branch than those that were on the mainland. I similarly wouldn’t expect a Japanese naval officer to recognize flag of a tank battalion deployed in France, but be much more likely to recognize any insignia belonging to say USS Astoria.
      
      So, why bring a “naval flag” to a soccer match? I didn’t see any sailors. Checked the documents of each spectator, did you? For all we know a ship might have been in dock, most of it’s crew on R&R, and they decided they wanted to take a quick trip to a football match.
      
      Finally, there is at some point people have to learn that sometimes symbols are perverted, and that seeing past the perversion is a good thing. I suspect the truth is both the basis for the Hinomaru and the naval ensign existed long before Perry ‘opened’ the empire; much like the swastika existed before the Nazi’s perverted into the Hakenkreuz, and is still used in the original form today.
- http://tepido.org/ LB
  
  Does this ceremoney look that immature?
  
  Yes.
  
  Not as immature as what you wrote above or below, granted, but yes, it does look that immature.
- randomcommenter
  
  Does this ceremoney look that immature? Think yourself
  
  Yes.
H. Yokoyama

“being a Korean was more important than being a soccer player”. Then get off the soccer field you moron.
- Gummysaur
  
  This.
Joe

@James
The Rising Sun flag was used by both the navy and the army (with a slightly different design) during their brutal conquest and occupation of Korean. The fact that it has a long history (the swastika has a longer one), is irrelevant to the Koreans who suffered under it.
That said, Ki is a dickhead. With a face like that he should be very wary of suggesting that anyone else looks like a monkey!
- Carnivale
  
  Then ban the Stars and Stripes as it was flown for the brutal conquest and occupation of Native Americans (who have been virtually wiped out unlike the Koreans). Lets ban any flag that was flown during any conquest!
- http://tepido.org/ LB
  
  The fact that it has a long history (the swastika has a longer one), is irrelevant to the Koreans who suffered under it.
  
  And therein lies the problem – facts are irrelevant. History is irrelevant. The fact that none of the Koreans on the pitch, not a single one, “suffered under it” is irrelevant.
  
  Oh well, at least there was a brilliant comment on this morning’s TV: one of the Japanese commentators was explaining how some Koreans think Japanese look like monkeys, and his fellow (also Japanese) commentator said “but their faces aren’t very different (from ours)…”
  - ij487i
    
    “and his fellow (also Japanese) commentator said “but their faces aren’t very different (from ours)…””
    
    That’s odd, because Japanese seem not to think that way when they make fun of Koreans for having slanty eyes
    - http://tepido.org/ LB
      
      He said they were not very different….
      
      Ah, the hell with it. Why do I even bother….
    - ij487i
      
      “He said they were not very different…”
      
      Yeah, I get that. Your point?
      
      I’m saying that when Japanese are called “monkeys” they claim their faces
      aren’t very distinct from Koreans, as the commentator did,
      
      but when they’re making the jokes they suddenly see the “differences” when it’s convenient, like thinking slanty eyes are a distinctly Korean facial feature.
- http://www.japanprobe.com James
  
  The Rising Sun flag was used by both the navy and the army (with a slightly different design) during their brutal conquest and occupation of Korean. The fact that it has a long history (the swastika has a longer one), is irrelevant to the Koreans who suffered under it.
  
  The original comment was not about the swastika itself, it was about the red/white Nazi swastika flag, which only exists within a context of German Nazism and militarism.
  
  In contrast, the Japanese Rising Sun flag, like the Hi no Maru flag, is just the symbol of the modern Japanese nation state. If Korean fans have no problem with the Hi no Maru, they should have no problem with the rising sun flag. Both were adopted around the same time and both have been used during periods of non-imperialism and imperialism.
  
  If one were to give in to the demands of Korean nationalists and agree that it’s “provocative” to bring a rising sun flag to a soccer match, the following flags should also be banned from international sporting events:
  
  * English flag – provocative symbol of brutal conquest and occupation of Scotland, Ireland, etc.
  * French flag – provocative symbol of brutal conquest and occupation of Africa, Indochina, etc.
  * Portuguese flag – the shields on the flag are provocative symbols of the brutal conquest and occupation of Brazil and parts of India, etc.
  * American flag – provocative symbol of brutal conquest and occupation of the Philippines, Vietnam, Iraq, etc.
  * Chinese flag – provocative symbol of brutal conquest and occupation of Tibet, Vietnam, etc.
  * Flag of the Netherlands – provocative symbol of brutal conquest and occupation of Indonesia
  * Spanish flag – royal standard on flag is a provocative symbol of brutal conquest and occupation of parts of Asia & the Americas
  - http://www.killerjo.net Zoo
    
    Is it just me or did anyone else notice how much comments are generated in this article compare to other articles, nothing is more popular that a cyber warfare related to Nationalism. (To be fair,I had been to other blogs about other countries and simliar articles as this one are always the most popular).
    
    We have experienced two world wars and more regional wars in the past centuries all caused by cultural intolerance and radical nationalism, and it seemed like we haven’t learn from it yet.
    
    As far as I am concern both the Japanese spectator who carried the Imperial Flag and the Korean player is at fault.
    
    #1 I assumed the Japanese spectator lived in E.Asia for your whole life and you did not know how offensive the Imperial flag is offensive to the Koreans and Chinese? If he doesn’t than I had to blame the Japanese education system (Supposedly the Japanese education system is one of the best in asia.).
    
    #2 So a few spectators offended you, I don’t see why the Korean player feel justified to insult the whole Japanese race with a racial slur (so everyone need to take the blame for the idiocy of a few individuals). He is a public figure and should be accounted for his action, there is no point in denying that he is at fault.
  - flowby
    
    James – actually some people do protest these flags symbolic of National Imperialism.
    
    I for one have great trouble with my own country’s flag and it’s inherent questionable history. Probably millions of my fellow country-folk beg to differ. But it’s definitely this baggage that accompanies many national flags that is often the source of vexation, rather than the original design or intent.
    
    In fact I have little time for National flags in general and see them as an anachronism of eras gone by.
    
    Sports teams should use their own colors and emblems.
    
    This Saturdays final audience would be decidedly more colourful/interesting if the fans of Australia sported their Green & Gold colours and fighting kangaroo and Japanese fans similarly displayed the Blue Samurai.
    
    It’s 2 TEAMS facing off – not countries.
    - http://www.japanprobe.com James
      
      James – actually some people do protest these flags symbolic of National Imperialism.
      
      Indeed they do exist, but they’re a very small minority. I’ve heard about some who protest the Union Jack, with many of them doing it from a liberal anti-colonial/anti-nationalism standpoint. I can respect that. In fact, like you, I don’t really feel much emotional attachment to national flags or symbols.
      
      In contrast, most of those who are the loudest in their protests of the Rising Sun flag seem to be arguing from a very nationalistic standpoint. They also seem to ignore the evidence that the Hi no Maru is just as imperial as the “imperial” Rising Sun flag, which is just plain bizarre.
    - flowby
      
      James – yes I agree.
      
      Nationalistic Flags are the refuge of scoundrels.
Michael

I really hope he is able to get good seats for the finals…
Hamachiman

I bet all his “proud nationalistic” fans and fellow countrymen are all oh so happy and ecstatic over his “defiant” display.

Idiot.

Imagine a Japanese soccer player doing something similar, before he finished his antics hino maru’s would be torched across South Korea, Japanese people harassed, and businesses and the such torched.

But I’m sure this is no ‘big deal’ to many, oh, because, like, you know, Japan treated Korea so bad in the past so they will forever get a ‘pass’ for anything offensive they do.

Pathetic.
Jason

As ironic as it is…the people on this blog (Japanese or others) who are grouping Koreans because of that stupid player’s monkey imitation are being no better than any other racist on here. If Ki was really mocking Japanese players by doing that (I honestly didn’t know what he was doing….and who said being a monkey had to mean mocking a Japanese, anyway?) then we all admit he was wrong and he was an idiot. But to say that “Koreans are this” and “Koreans are that” make you sound just as bad. Some racist Koreans are just dumb and don’t have any sense of discretion. But don’t tell me that there are no racists in Japan. It’s just that those racist Japanese usually do it behind others’ backs….or online behind their computers.
- Kono
  
  Exactly exactly and exactly.
Kono

How come everyone of you are jumping to conclusions?

“Celtic full back Cha Du-Ri has accused St.Johnstone fans of racism after several of the Perth club’s fans allegedly made monkey noises to fellow South Korean Ki Sung Yeung.
Despite Celtic comfortably winning 3-0 on Saturday, the defender was left fuming after he accused Saints fans of being racist on the same day that players and officials across the country kicked off another campaign to promote Show Racism the Red Card.

Cha said, “When Ki had the ball, two supporters jumped up and started making monkey noises. I have never seen anything like that. The incident is shameful and I feel angry about it. What makes it worse is we all held up cards and wore anti-racism T-shirts. There should be an investigation and they should be disciplined.”
St. Johnstone, to their credit, have come out and vowed to crack down on fans found guilty of racist chanting. A club statement said, “Should we identify any perpetrators, the most stringent action will be considered.”

http://www.scotzine.com/2010/11/celtics-korean-star-cha-du-ri-attacks-racist-thugs-at-mcdiarmid-park/

I hope you guys realize that Ki Seung Yongs action was aimed at the racist fans, NOT towards Japanese team. Besides, how does calling a Japanese “monkey” even offend them? DO MORE RESEARCH. Everyone here, you guys are making yourselves look extremely stupid.
- http://www.japanprobe.com James
  
  I hope you guys realize that Ki Seung Yongs action was aimed at the racist fans, NOT towards Japanese team.
  
  If that was his intent, maybe he should have said so.
  
  Instead, he refused to explain himself when questioned after the match, and just told the media that the monkey act had “no meaning.”
  
  Besides, how does calling a Japanese “monkey” even offend them?
  
  Even if the insult is ineffective, it doesn’t cancel out the fact that somebody was attempting a “racist” insult.
  
  DO MORE RESEARCH. Everyone here, you guys are making yourselves look extremely stupid.
  
  Maybe you should do more research. Here’s a quote from the liberal Asahi network, that states that many people within Korea are criticizing Ki’s actions:
  
  “サッカーのアジアカップ、準決勝の日本対韓国戦で、韓国の選手がゴールを決めた後、猿のまねをした行為をめぐり、日本を小ばかにしたものではないかと韓国国内で論議を呼んでいます。
  
  　25日の日本と韓国の試合で、韓国の奇誠庸（キ・ソンヨン）選手がPKを決めた後、カメラに向かって猿のまねをする場面がありました。奇選手自身は、パフォーマンスの理由を具体的には明らかにしていませんが、自身のツイッターで「観客席の旭日旗を見て胸に涙が流れた」などと書き込んでいます。これに対し、ネット上などで「日本人を小ばかにした行為ではないか」「軽率だ、やりすぎ」などと論議になっています。「気持ちは分かる」など奇選手を擁護する声も出ていますが、韓国の連合ニュースは、「誤解を招くような行動をしたことは、非難されても仕方ない」と伝えています。FIFA＝国際サッカー連盟は、あらゆる差別に対して失格などを含む罰則規定を設けています。”
  - Kono
    
    Exactly, Koreans are ashamed of what Ki did, but Ki himself has said that the monkey thing was pointed towards the racist fans.
  - Kono
    
    Also, Koreans have criticized Ki for what he did, so why are so many people slandering Koreans? Many Koreans obviously disapprove of Ki’s actions (if it was directed at the Japanese football team), so I think people here should relax a bit. Ki does NOT represent all of Korea.
    - ekim
      
      I dont see many people here criticizing korean people here I dont know why you are so defensive,, I think the bottom line is that a person in his figure that has people who look up to him should NOT be promoting racism of any sort, there is no excuse for it what so ever PERIOD.
- randomcommenter
  
  So Ki made a monkey face in a January match against Japan, whose people Koreans sometimes insult by calling them “monkeys”, and that monkey face was directed at Scottish football fans who had made monkey sounds at him two months earlier, halfway across the world?
  
  Yes, obviously, more research is the key to understanding this complex puzzle, but it is you who needs to DO MORE RESEARCH. If you had, you would know that St. Johnstone was named after St. John the Baptist, and Baptists don’t believe in evolution, and thus don’t believe that humans evolved from apes. So Ki Seung Yongs action was an ape face aimed at anti-science religious zealots, NOT a monkey face towards racist fans. You are making yourself look extremely stupid.
  - Kono
    
    You don’t know his side of the story, how do you know what his true intent was? Is it a coincidence he made a monkey face, and racist fans made monkey noises towards him? Maybe, maybe not. What I am trying to say is, many people here are blowing up on Koreans, bringing up nationalists and what not. Koreans disapprove of Ki’s act, and I really don’t know how calling a Japanese person “monkey” can really offend them.
    
    Ki represents all of Korea, and what he did was extremely stupid, EXTREMELY stupid, but he is old and smart enough to know that many people are watching, and that people can get offended by his actions. Criticize Ki, not Korea.
    - randomcommenter
      
      I know his true intent because I DID LOTS OF RESEARCH. And I am only criticizing him, not Korea. He’s excessively focused on what American Baptists believe, and not enough on his football.
    - Kono
      
      Well then I thank you for not criticizing a whole nation.
      
      I swear, it seemed like relations between Korea and Japan was getting a lot better, but this crap happens, and now everyone is in rage mode. I apologize behalf of Ki, I am truly sorry to everyone that got offended by his ignorant actions, so are the many Koreans in Korea.
      
      It’s making me kinda sad to see some mean comments about Korea, you guys can do way better then that. There are Korean people out there that love Japanese culture, and football is nothing. We should all just get along, for the better. Hurtful comments ARE NOT going to help.
    - Jason
      
      I think Kono meant “Ki [DOES NOT] represent all of Korea”. In fact, Ki doesn’t even represent his teammates. But I think people on here know that, but it has given the nationalist Japanese a good chance to start bashing at Koreans anyways. As much as the new wave of nationalist Japanese like to pretend they are “above all this” or non-racists….I can only say they are self-delusional. Now, notice I said “new wave of nationalist Japanese”..so, if nobody on here is in that category, there’s no need to get offended. But if anybody IS offended by my comments, please do speak up and start bashing at Koreans and justifying your actions.
    - Kono
      
      Thank you Jason, that’s exactly what I meant, Ki doesn’t represent Korea. I read some of your comments, and you are a truly intelligent person, I guess to many people here, imperial flag of japan is nothing serious, but i am pretty sure the person that brought it had bad intentions.
    - Yuri
      
      I read all the comments in this page.
      Most of people are saying Ki was rude.
      but please think about that side as well.
      Im not Korean, but Japanese.
      I do like my country more than Korea.
      BUT! to be honest, i was very dissapointed at people who brought sun-rising flags.
      BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IT REPRESENTS AND WHAT IT MAKES ASIAN PEOPLE FEEL.
    - Liam
      
      こんにちは. 私は韓国人です.
      私はキ・ソンヨンの行動も間違ったと思います.
      多くの韓国人たちは旭日期に対して反感を持っているが私はそれが過敏反応だと思います.
      実際に多い韓国人たちは被害妄想につかまって問題がない部分に対してもけんかをうって日本に謝りを要求する場合が多いです.
      サッカー試合の時の軍旗で応援することは早くからあったし私はそれも一つの伝統だからそれを尊重してくれなければならないと思います.
      私は旭日期を日本の極右派たちとともに悪用しない以上, 旭日期を使うこと自体を悪いと思わないです. 旭日期は極右の象徴であることのように利用されるからイメージが悪く見えます.
      過去に対して真剣に考えないで靖国神社に参拜をする右翼勢力がナチと違って日本に残在することが私が見る ‘韓国が日本が好きに見られない最大の理由’です.
      その原因はアメリカとソ連の対立にあるけれども. とにかく日本人にもかかわらず韓国人の立場で文章を書いてくれありがとうございます.^^
MM

旭日旗は、代表戦では随分前から頻繁に見かけた。

だから、あれを使用したのは特に韓国相手だから、というわけではないだろう。

まぁ、いずれ何らかの形で物議を醸す事もあるかとは思ってたけど。
nagoriyuki

Ki had better change his name to Monki-Ki.
That will bring him some good luck, I bet.
Yuko

@James

I totally agree with that.
Even Im from Japan,
Im sick of people who are being
so fake. I know Japanese brought
that “Sun rising flags” to make
Korean feel bad. However,
pretending to be like “We didn’t”.
I don’t really like Korean people for some reason,
but to be honest, Japanese were just way too rude.
- Mat
  
  >>I know Japanese brought
  >>that “Sun rising flags” to make
  >>Korean feel bad.
  
  There was no “rising sun flag” there. Understand?
MF DULER

Regardless of what James or LB want to think, despite being in use long before the age of fascism, the “sun rays flag” IS a symbol of Japanese imperialism to many, many people; the swaztika was arond long before Hitler was ever born, but try writing it off as “not offensive” and see how far you get. Try to write it all off, gloss over, whitewash it all you want, but that is how these symbols are seen by hundreds of millions around the world.

That having been said, I’m pretty sure any flag of any country could be taken as offensive by just about anyone, so this is really a non-issue. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence that the Japanese fans brought the “sun ray flag” specifically to mock Korean players and spectators (as, say, neo-Nazis might do to Jews), but they probably wouldn’t have minded if someone did.
- cesar
  
  “the swaztika was arond long before Hitler was ever born, but try writing it off as “not offensive” and see how far you get.”
  
  actually, people still use the swastika nowadays and no harm is felt or done because of that, specially because the Nazi flag is quite fairly different from the original swastika of wich you’re talking about
  
  and just because many, many, many people believe something to be true, that doesn’t make it so – the fact is that the rising sun was not a simbol of japan invasion or japan imperialism; if people don’t or can’t accept the simple true, then that’s not a japanese problem right there
RMilner

Japanese imperialism was fully squashed 65 years ago.

If there is widespread offence about flying a flag now in certain countries, that says something about the society and education system of those countries, not about proper international life.
tm

テレビ朝日「おとといの試合でもこの旭日旗が持ち込まれていたのかどうかは確認できなかった」
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg7BqmBlpPc#t=2m23s

キムヨナ悪魔仮面をつけたサポーターの写真は2010年10月にソウルで開催された試合のもの
http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype2.htm?id=201010120100124580005211&ServiceDate=20101012

韓国人の可能性が高い

●丸められた太極旗を持ち、下に赤いシャツを着ている
http://manhwa.sportschosun.com/news/html/2010/10/12/2010101201001245800052111.jpg

●韓国代表のニックネームは「赤い悪魔」
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Devil_%28supporters_club%29
LOD

Another update:
It seems the Rising Sun Flag was not flown on the Japan-Korea match, after all.

The photo broadcasted on SBS and TV Asahi was actually shot on Japan-Netherland match, June 2010. You can see more than a few Dutch flags, when you look the photo carefully.

http://livedoor.2.blogimg.jp/newskorea/imgs/c/a/ca2d0361.jpg

Now, perhaps Ki is not lying and he indeed saw the Rising Sun Flag, though it’s very unlikely as there are no photo proving it. (Besides the Rising Sun Flag is not very relevant to the Scottish racism he got upset.) What’s really clear is the fact SBS and TV Asahi are deliberately lying something.
- http://aki-akiaki.blogspot.com Aki
  
  Those photos used by SBS and TV Asahi are apparently photoshoped to erase letters on the orange-colored banner.
  
  http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mACHGoR-8FQ/TUGUNKbjpcI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/jXclTphlp3A/s1600/monkey_ki.jpg
  
  I don’t know what was written on the banner, but I suspect there were some words that show that the game was Japan-Netherland match.
Vox24

>He also tweets about thinking of himself as Korean first, and a soccer player second.

Where have I heard that before?

I could swear I’ve heard that same line from a couple of other Koreans in the media when they’ve been caught out with anti-(insert non-Korean country name here) sentiment.
Rei

Yuna kim masks are just cheering goods which were sold in the Korean studium.

http://loda.jp/siofigure2/?id=9390.jpg
http://blog-imgs-42-origin.fc2.com/c/h/e/cherio199/P1050824.jpg
Jordan

It’s amazing to me that people who have never been harmed by Japan in the slightest would feel such strong “emotions” whenever they encounter Japanese anything.

Excuse me while I’m busy not giving a shit about your crocodile tears.
History: get fucking over it.
lalalava

Does anyone know where this whole derogatory Japanese = monkey thing came from in Korea? A Korean guy friend of mine asked me if I thought Japanese or Korean guys were more attractive, and when I said Japanese, he said he didn’t understand because they look like monkeys. Whaaaat? Where does this idea come from? What about Japanese-Korean history or Japanese appearances makes them look like monkeys compared to Korea?
- Kono
  
  Why do I sense bull? A lot of bull.
  - PH
    
    Lalalava’s question is perfectly reasonable, given the fact that Korean and Japanese people look pretty similar. I’ve also heard answers on both sides of the question with respect to attractiveness. This is not surprising, again, because Korean and Japanese people look pretty similar.
    
    I think the fact you “sense a lot of bull” says a lot more about you than the post you’re responding to.
  - ekim
    
    why is this story sound bull to you? I live in US, I have heard and read about koreans using the term “monkey” to insult Japanese people. IT IS a common term to insult Japanese people by Koreans!
  - lalalava
    
    Yeah, this was a true story and I’m just trying to ask an innocent question. I think some of his answer came out of his pride just being injured cause I said Japanese guys were more attractive though :-p. I mean I can tell the difference between Korean and Japanese people, but I’ve never attributed any feature differences to anyone looking more or less monkey-ish. I feel like in history, people have used derogatory primate comparisons for people who are “less civilized,” have darker skin tones, or more body hair. So it seems perplexing for me since none of those are the case for Korea vs. Japan. When I asked my Korean friend why, he said it was the shape and positioning of Japanese mouths (like the distance between the nose and upper lip is longer or something?), but I don’t really see that.
Tyr

How odd, I mean…westerners calling Oriental people monkeys is bad enough. Horrible and rascist.
But a Korean calling the Japanese that? They look the freaking same! If the Japanese are monkeys then the Koreans must be too.
KR

If Davie really meant what he said about “being Korean is more important than being a footballer”, then he’s being inordinately hypocritical, because it wasn’t that long ago that he said he wanted to play in the Asian Games so he’d have a chance to avoid military service. That’s enough gobsh*te out of you, son.
wideawake

1) That’s not a navy flag. The sun is directly in the middle, so it is a Japanese Imperial Army war flag.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Japan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Japanese_flags

2) Why are you bringing a Japanese Imperial army war flag (used 1870–1945) to a soccer game, especially to a game with a country that Japan has invaded/colonized?

3) Before a someone who thinks s/he is entitle to express his/her largely irrelevant opinion will write something stupid along the lines of that maybe there were military personnel there and perhaps I should check their ID, I’d point out to the dumbo that Japan Ground Self-Defense Force uses a different flag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_JSDF.svg So again, why bring an old imperial flag that is no longer used to the game?

4) An argument that many other nations’ flags should also be offensive, while valid, can be glossed over as irrelevant. Why?
A) One is a national flag and another is imperial army flag. Think of US flag vs. marine flag. While both may be used in battle, it is the marines who are doing the killing. Not all Americans are U.S. marines but all of the marines are Americans. By the same principle, not all Japanese are imperial army soldiers, but all of the soldiers who were conquering are Japanese. Hence, why the imperial Japanese army flag (a direct symbol of the soldiers/army) is now synonymous with a Nazi flag in many parts of Asia. A standard Japanese flag represents all of Japan, including the soldiers, but it doesn’t represent ONLY the soldiers.
B) The argument is irrelevant b/c the flag is no longer used by the Japanese army or the Japanese. According to wiki it was put into disuse in 1945. Japanese self-defense forces use a different flag now.
So, again, why bring an Imperial Army Japanese flag that is no longer used to a soccer game, especially if it’s a country that you conquered/colonized in the past?

5) I don’t care about this issue, but I can sympathize and I understand how that might feel. My country was conquered by the Nazis. If German fans brought some old nazi flags or insignia, I may feel upset about it. Americans don’t understand b/c they’ve never been conquered…yet.

6) Bad example but may be somewhat relevant. Replace Japanese Standard flag with Afghani and their imperial flag with that of Al-Qaeda which would be their army. Al-Qaeda was founded in 1988, 13 years before 9/11. Then they get defeated and their army changes their flag to something more benign so as not to arouse strong emotional response. So as an American, if you see an old al-Qaeda flag during a soccer match in NYC, how would you feel? Why do you think that person would bring it? What can possibly be the message?
- http://www.japanprobe.com James
  
  First of all, read the post: the photos the Korean media has been using were not even from the Korea vs. Japan match.
  
  http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mACHGoR-8FQ/TUGUNKbjpcI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/jXclTphlp3A/s1600/monkey_ki.jpg
  
  1) I think you need to get your vision checked. The dot is definitely not “directly in the middle”:
  http://i.imgur.com/NRINJ.jpg
  
  2) So far, there is no photographic evidence that an Imperial Army War flag was in the stands.
  
  3) The MSDF still uses the off-center rising sun as its flag.
  
  4) A) The USMC flag looks nothing like the stars and stripes. The naval rising sun flag is just a slight alteration of the existing national flag. Many Japanese see it as an alternative flag, rather than a military flag.
  B) The flag is still used by the MSDF.
  
  5) The main issue with the Nazi flag is not that it was carried into battle during invasions of other countries. It is an objectionable flag because it was adopted by the German Nazi party as a symbol. The red/white/swastika flag is a symbol of Nazism and represents the ideology of the Nazis. It was only used as a national flag during the period of Nazi oppression, conquest, and genocide. ( The Japanese flags were not adopted by militarists who sought to conquer and subjugate their neighbors, and don’t have an ideological tie to a single political party. )
  
  6) You have totally missed the point. Al-Qaeda has always been a violent Islamist group. It’s not simply a matter of time, it’s a matter of time and ideology. Whatever symbols they may use were most surely adopted during a period during which they advocated militant fundamentalism.
  - WideAwake
    
    First of all, read the post: the photos the Korean media has been using were not even from the Korea vs. Japan match.
    
    I realize that and I assumed that is a given. I’m arguing why Imperial army flag is offensive to Koreans and Chinese.
    
    1) I think you need to get your vision checked. The dot is definitely not “directly in the middle”
    
    My vision is fine. I think you’re the one who needs to get your vision checked. But I realize you won’t admit it’s in the middle b/c your argument would fall apart. After all, why would someone wave the Imperial flag around that’s not used anymore, except to make an offensive statement? I’ll let the readers here decide if the Sun is in the middle (imperial flag) or toward the left side (nave flag). PS Even if it’s a navy flag, it’s highly doubtful the J-sailors would be at the soccer game. But maybe ZZ should check their IDs to prove his/her point.
    
    2) So far, there is no photographic evidence that an Imperial Army War flag was in the stands.
    
    Again, I realize that. I’m arguing why the Imperial Army flag (that’s no longer in use in Japan, just like Nazi flag is no longer in use in Germany) is offensive to Asians.
    
    3) The MSDF still uses the off-center rising sun as its flag.
    I’m not disputing this. Make sure your vision is correct and tell me if you see the difference:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Naval_Ensign_of_Japan.svg MSDF (Imperial Navy Flag and MSDF flag)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:War_flag_of_the_Imperial_Japanese_Army.svg (Imperial Army flag that is no longer in use)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_JSDF.svg (flag on JSDF aka their Army)
    
    So, do you see the difference between Imperial Navy/MSDF, Imperial Army, and JSDF flags?
    
    I wont respond to other points b/c I was trying to give Americans/Westerners, who try to be logical so often, an example about how people in other countries may feel. It’s especially difficult with Americans b/c they were never brutalized.
    But I will point out that your argument #5 is complete BS about the swastika flag.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_symbolism
    According to the wiki, “The swastika flag was composed by Adolf Hitler and was the NATIONAL FLAG of Germany 1933-1945” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Nazi_Germany_(1933-1945).svg
    
    The actual party flag of Nazis was this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NSDAP_Reichsadler.svg
    
    So your argument #5 completely falls apart. Germany no longer uses the swastika flag and Japan no longer uses the Imperial Army flag. How can you defend Japanese Imperial Army flag (by implying it’s the same as the Imperial navy flag and current MSDF) and yet reject the Nazi Swastika flag? Also, the swastika flag was adopted in 1933 and WWII began in 1939. Granted it was only six years before conquest and oppression began (well unless you count in annexation of Austria and Sudetenland) and the time frame between Japanese conquests and the Army’s flag adoption was much longer. The principle is still the same.
    
    “The Japanese flags were not adopted by militarists who sought to conquer and subjugate their neighbors, and don’t have an ideological tie to a single political party.”
    I donno enough about J-history and it’s late so I don’t want to research. But I know enough about German history to say that initially Nazis arose b/c they wanted to free Germany from the Versailles treaty and its constraints. I don’t think Nazis, initially weren’t bent on conquest and subjugation of their neighbors. Hitler got elected b/c he was standing up for Germany against allies who imposed Versaille treaty and reparations on Germany. To make war, Germany had to break down Versaille treaty that limited it’s navy and army.
    
    But I’m getting side-tracked. My point, again, is how can you defend Japanese Imperial Army flag (by implying it’s the same as the Imperial navy flag and current MSDF) and yet reject the Nazi Swastika flag? You can only do it by arguing that Nazi flag was from the get-go all about subjugation and conquest (and not about being anti-Versaille) while Japanese were not. Yet, both flags are no longer in use, yet you claim that MSDF still uses it, though you cleverly add it’s “off center.” Well, off center is a huge difference. Center = imperial army flag; off-center is imperial navy/MSDF.
    
    Make sure your vision is checked to see the difference between Imperial Navy and Army flags.
    - ponta
      
      ”I realize that and I assumed that is a given. I’m arguing why Imperial army flag is offensive to Koreans and Chinese.”
      
      That’s funny.
      I thought some Korean people are offended by the rising sun flag because they are ashamed of working together the Japanese military　under the flag against Chinese and allied forces.
      
      http://nandakorea.sakura.ne.jp/img/spiral.jpg
GK54

I am going to assume many of the readers of this blog are not Asian (meaning White, etc).
You guys will never understand what the Japanese means to Koreans and Chinese.
There will always be rivalry between Japan and Korea as well as Japan and China.
Yes, the past is the past but it is still a part of history which the Koreans and Chinese never forget.
Flags like that I find to be a mockery of the Koreans and Chinese.
To be honest, it’s more harsh to do things like that than make monkey faces on TV.
C’mon. Let’s be real here.
ekim

I dont get it, people keep on defending Ki’s actions by saying its sorta ok cause he saw an imperial flag in the stands which has not been proven but anyways back to the topic, did everyone forget that Korean people also brought offensive signs to the stands as well?

and you didnt see any J players acting up and promoting racism. I think the bottom point to this issue are that you should NOT be promoting racism PERIOD no matter what, be professional and stop spreading HATE.

We all want to get over the past why keep on opening the wound, just let it heal already.

Is it fair to the Japanese people who has nothing to do with the past to be treated that way? Most Japanese feel nothing but positive toward Korean people but its ok for the korean to act up just because of Japans past history?? I DONT THINK SO.

AND yes Korean people do degrade at Japanese people by calling them “monkeys” its a known fact that Koreans use this term.

Just stop pointing fingers already “racism is racism” hate only makes you more hateful
vonskippy

Many different opinions here, but I think we can agree on one thing….

WORSE MONKEY IMPRESSION EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
takk

about Kim Yu-na Musks: these Musks(Kim Yu-na with devil’s horn) can be found at a Korean football fan shop in Korea.
The musk is designed to harmonize Kim Yu-na, a brilliant Korean ice skater, the gold medalist of the winter olympic 2010, with The Red Devils, nickname of Korean Football Team.

Pictures of Korean fan shop:

The pictures at the link don’t directly prove anything about purpose of these Japanese fans wearing the musk.
However, since this picture at the article was taken at Japan vs Korea friendly match in Korea at October 2010, it can be guessed that these funs bought the musks at a Korean fan shop somewhere in Korea before the friendly match. And my personal guess is that they are doing it for friendship not for criticism.
takk

The proof of a picture of the rising sun flag from Korean TV, SBS, is from World Cup 2010 Japan vs Netherlands in South Africa not from Asia Cup 2011 Semi final, Japan vs Korea, in Qatar. (you can see Netherlands’ flags in the picture. And obviously there is no 2nd floor stands at the stadium showed in .) The leader of J-supporters, , who made the rising sun flag on the picture, mentions on his twitter that he made it to show his hope for a new japanese star player like Nakata at World Cup 2010. So the flag is designed with Nakata’s back angle with his number 7. He mentions that he didn’t bring the flag to the Asia Cup 2011 considering not to offend or have any issue with any other asian countries. But he also mentions that there is a possibility that other J-supportes who doesn’t belong his group might bring a rising sun flag to the stadium. Some of Japanese netizens are trying find the flag in a video.
takk

Update for Kim Yu-na issue:
It is natural for Korean Fans to wear Red Horns.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Devils_(supporters_club)
http://ashishi.exblog.jp/14822199/

and a original picture is little bigger than the picture in the article.
A man in the picture (2nd Person from right) holding a Korean flag.
Therefore, they are not doing it for offense. I guess.
http://kokohendarou.up.seesaa.net/image/2010101201001245800052111.jpg
Karen

I think that the South Korean is a racist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZfcFDNXgdY
This is cruel.
Laura

I’m late to these remarks. But I’ve only got this to say: The only one looking and acting like a monkey is KI himself. He should take a good look in the mirror next time he does that and maybe he’ll grow up…
soulstage1@naver.com

よ。日本の猿たち。お前らmaxicoハンテ3:1でジョトジャナ。私たちの大韓民国はは0:0でビギョトオ。お前、日本の実力考えをせず何度もインターネットにお前ら、日本は最高だとトドゥルウルレ？まあ、我々が日本の猿たちに負ければオシムのせいハルコって？バナナ食べなさい。勝っても負けの結果に承服する国が韓国だから口ちょっと黙っている。日本猿たちよ。2012.8.11日対決してみよう。
Corn Fritter

Is it just me or does the Korean player look more like a monkey because of his hair?

Also yeah, Korean will always feel the rivalry between Japan. Actually from what I see it’s more like Korea doing it’s best to compete with Japan whenever Japan is excellent at something (eg. making car) and this rivalry will not disappear because of their education system.
Jake

I have taught and worked with Japanese and Korean people there is just something I have observed.
Korean children are taught hatred against Japan and it gave me goosebumps how these young children know that much hatred.
Anonymous

He really done great job for imitating monkey, coz he really looks like monkey himself.

South Korean Soccer Player Mocks “Japanese Monkeys”

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