The Rising Sun Flag Appears Again in APBC Korea-Japan Match... Seok-kyung Deok Protests "Denial of History"

On the 17th at Tokyo Dome game in Japan, cheering with Rising Sun Flag
Professor Seo: "Immediately sent protest email to APBC"

Professor Seokyungdeok of Sungshin Women's University criticized the appearance of the Rising Sun Flag during the preliminary match between Korea and Japan at the Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) held at Tokyo Dome on the 17th as "denying the history of aggressive war."

On the 19th, Professor Seo stated through his social media (SNS), "During the second preliminary match between Korea and Japan at the APBC held at Tokyo Dome on the 17th, Japanese fans were waving the Rising Sun Flag, causing controversy," and added, "I immediately sent a protest email to the APBC." He has been consistently conducting a 'Worldwide Campaign to Eradicate the Rising Sun Flag.'

On the 17th, the Rising Sun Flag appeared in the stands during the APBC Korea-Japan match. [Image source=Captured from Professor Seokyeongdeok's SNS, Yonhap News]

In the email sent to the APBC, Professor Seo explained, "Although the Rising Sun Flag has been used by Japanese people to symbolize good catches and childbirth, it was the flag Japan prominently displayed during its invasions of various Asian countries in the past, symbolizing militarism and imperialism," and added, "In other words, cheering with the Rising Sun Flag denies the history of Japan's aggressive wars and reminds Asians of the horrors of war, serving as a symbol of fascism."

He continued, "The international football federation (FIFA), recognizing this, immediately prohibited the Japanese supporters' use of the Rising Sun Flag during the 2022 Qatar World Cup," and demanded, "Similarly, the APBC must immediately ban cheering with the Rising Sun Flag and take strong measures to ensure such acts never happen again."

Professor Seo expressed his determination, saying, "The Rising Sun Flag also appeared during the Korea-Japan match at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) last March, causing great controversy," and added, "I will do my best until the day cheering with the Rising Sun Flag disappears from international sports competitions."

Earlier, on March 10th, Professor Seo had sent a protest email to the WBC regarding the appearance of the Rising Sun Flag during the preliminary match between Korea and Japan held at Tokyo Dome in 2023. At that time, he explained in the protest email that "the Rising Sun Flag is a war crime flag symbolizing Japanese imperialism and militarism, carrying the same meaning as the swastika of Nazi Germany."

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