American YouTuber faces 10-yr prison sentence for kissing statue in South Korea
In a contentious video, American YouTuber and streamer Johnny Somali kissed and posed with a statue honoring Korean women who were sexually enslaved during Japan’s conquest of Korea, earning him a 10-year prison sentence in South Korea.
Since then, Korean citizens have widely criticized American national Somali, whose true name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, for his behavior.
Somali’s acts, which were recorded while he was at Seoul’s Changdong History and Culture Park, have infuriated Koreans and others.
The YouTuber was seen dancing in front of the Statue of Peace and kissing it in Itaewon, central Seoul, in a video that was uploaded on October 9.
Tens of thousands of young Korean women were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese troops between 1910 and 1945, and the statue honors them.
The Korea Times reports that last Thursday, Somali apologized for his behavior in a video posted by the YouTube channel Jcompany.
“I wish to express my regret to Koreans. I was unaware of the statute’s significance. I’m a young man who aspires to mature. I made a mistake, and I believe that you have to own up to your mistakes in life. Therefore, I’m sorry, and I promise never to touch or discuss your statue again,” he said.
Despite his apology, the streamer may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if found guilty, according to sources.
Although Johnny Somali acknowledged that his acts were insulting, he acknowledged that he had planned the stunt as entertainment for his American audience.
Many Koreans and others have expressed their dissatisfaction of the episode, which they believe to be a serious lack of cultural awareness and respect.
Prosecutors announced on Tuesday, November 12, that Johnny Somali has been charged with “causing a commotion” inside a South Korean convenience store.
Officials claim that a travel prohibition related to the case prevents him from leaving South Korea.
According to a Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office spokesperson who talked to AFP, “he was indicted on Monday without detention for causing a disturbance at a convenience store in October.”
On October 17, after being instructed not to consume alcohol within the business, Somali confronted a coworker and was reported to the police by a convenience store employee.
Additionally, he is charged with using sexist language when speaking to the employee.
A statue honoring Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery—euphemistically referred to as “comfort women”—by the Japanese forces during World War II has been kissing and twerking, among other actions that have made news in Somalia.
Strong criticism and condemnation were directed at the incident, which was captured in a since-removed video on his YouTube page. Later on, he apologized.
By Evelyn Kutriakor (Ghana net Radio)
