"Eat Kimchi" Wall Decor... Romanian Korean Restaurant at Center of 'Rising Sun Flag' Controversy Completes Renovation

"It was left by a previous tenant... We sincerely apologize"
Seo Kyungduk: "We must correct misrepresented Korean restaurants worldwide"

Photo of the Rising Sun Flag painted on the wall of a Korean restaurant in Romania. Photo by Seo Kyungduk Facebook

Recently, controversy arose when a Rising Sun Flag was displayed as part of the interior decor at a newly opened Korean restaurant in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. On September 30, Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University stated, "I received a lengthy apology and photos of the renovated interior in response to a protest email."

According to Professor Seo, the restaurant primarily serves Korean-style hot dogs and came to public attention through reports from local Koreans living in the area. The controversy stemmed from the fact that, in addition to the interior design being distinctly Japanese, the Rising Sun Flag-a symbol of Japanese militarism-was painted inside the restaurant.

After Professor Seo raised the issue publicly, he received a long message via Instagram and photos of the renovated interior from the restaurant. He explained, "According to the restaurant, the Rising Sun Flag mural was painted by a previous tenant, and opening the business without removing it was a significant mistake." He added, "They offered a sincere apology to Koreans."

He further noted, "The Rising Sun Flag mural was quickly removed, and I was assured that the restaurant will continue to consult with Korean cultural representatives to prevent such issues from recurring in the future."

The renovated appearance of the Romanian Korean restaurant that was controversial for its Rising Sun flag interior. Photo by Seok Kyungdeok Facebook

Professor Seo emphasized that while the restaurant’s sincere apology and swift action deserve praise, there remain serious issues with some Korean restaurants operated by Chinese owners around the world.

He pointed out, "At a large restaurant located in the biggest shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand, Korean dishes are introduced to locals as 'northeastern Chinese cuisine,' which has sparked controversy." He added, "Using the positive example set by the Romanian Korean restaurant, I plan to continue a global campaign to correct misrepresentations at Korean restaurants worldwide."

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