Tonight's WBC Korea-Japan Game... Suh Kyungduk: "Rising Sun Flag Cheering Must Be Stopped"

On March 7, concerns were raised that "Rising Sun flag cheering" might once again appear inside the Tokyo Dome ahead of the Korea-Japan match at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

At the regular Wednesday demonstration held in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, children are breaking a wooden board adorned with the Rising Sun flag, urging the Japanese government to offer an official apology for the issue of military sexual slavery.

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Suh Kyungduk, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University, issued a warning through social media on this day, referencing repeated instances of Rising Sun flag cheering at past international baseball tournaments. He noted that the controversial symbol has repeatedly appeared in the stands during major Korea-Japan games, such as the WBC and the Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC). He also stated that if similar scenes are captured during this game, he will immediately lodge a protest with the event organizers.

Professor Suh added that he would inform foreign journalists about these issues. He plans to actively raise international awareness about the historical significance and problems associated with the use of the Rising Sun flag.

Similar incidents have occurred at past international competitions. In March 2023, during the WBC Korea-Japan game, Japanese spectators were spotted displaying the Rising Sun flag in the stands at the Tokyo Dome. Again, at the APBC Korea-Japan match in November of the same year, similar cheering acts surfaced, leading to further controversy.

Professor Suh emphasized that the Rising Sun flag is regarded as a symbol of Japanese militarism and imperialism. He pointed out that using such a symbol as a cheering tool may be seen as denying the history of past wars of aggression, and that it can serve as a painful reminder of war for people in Asia.

Meanwhile, there have also been cases where the use of the Rising Sun flag was restricted in the international sports arena. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) intervened on-site to stop Japanese fans from displaying the Rising Sun flag, effectively preventing further controversy.

Professor Suh stressed that there have been numerous cases in which Rising Sun flag designs were removed from various global institutions and companies due to protests and calls for accountability. He highlighted the need for citizens to actively report such scenes if they are discovered in the stadium.

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