'Olympic Climbing Structure Features "Rising Sun Flag" Design... Seokyeongdeok "Protests to IOC"'

The third sports climbing task, which sparked controversy for its design resembling the Rising Sun flag / Photo by TV Broadcast Screen Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Amid controversy over the 'Rising Sun flag-shaped climbing wall' in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic sports climbing event, Professor Seokyungdeok from Sungshin Women's University announced on the 9th that he sent a protest email to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In the email, Professor Seo urged, "The IOC must immediately apologize for using the Rising Sun flag, which was used in war crimes, as a sports climbing structure at the Olympics, a symbol of peace."

Earlier, during the men's combined final of sports climbing held on the 5th at Aomi Urban Sports Park, concerns were raised that the third climbing wall resembled the Japanese Rising Sun flag. Bouldering is a sport where athletes climb artificial structures installed on rock walls without ropes, using only their bodies.

The third structure is composed in a radial pattern centered around a yellow circle.

The third assignment was introduced as "Rising Sun (욱일)" by Eurosport / Photo by Online Community

Several overseas media outlets, including the European sports channel Eurosport, Outside, and the foreign media Planet Mountain covering sports climbing, introduced the structure as a 'rising sun' shape (Rising Sun flag).

The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), which governs sports climbing, also described the shape of the third bouldering problem on its official website as "the shape of Japan's Rising Sun flag composed of small yellow holds."

Professor Seo appealed to the IOC, saying, "I hope a thorough investigation into this matter will be conducted to ensure that such incidents do not recur." He added, "Not only is the Rising Sun flag with 16 rays spreading out from the red circle problematic, but the design intentionally shaped like the Rising Sun flag is also a major issue, so it is time for government agencies such as the Korea Sports Council to strongly protest."

Kim Ja-in, who provided commentary for sports climbing, also expressed discomfort at the Rising Sun flag pattern on the structure. Photo by Instagram capture

Meanwhile, Kim Ja-in (33), the 'Queen of Climbing' who served as a commentator for KBS sports climbing, also expressed displeasure over the Rising Sun flag controversy, saying, "I cannot understand why such a design was deliberately used in the bouldering problem."

On the 8th, Kim Ja-in posted a video on her social media in which the official Olympic broadcast commentator described the problem's design as 'Japanese rising sun' and 'the image depicts rising sun,' arguing, "If they want to uphold the Olympic spirit, that design and commentary should never be used on the Olympic stage, and those responsible must apologize."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.