American YouTuber Johnny Somali has come under heavy criticism after a controversial video surfaced showing him kissing and posing with a statue commemorating Korean women who were victims of sexual slavery during Japan’s occupation of Korea.
Somali’s actions, filmed during his visit to the Changdong History and Culture Park in Seoul, have sparked outrage among Koreans and people worldwide.
In a video shared on October 9, the YouTuber was seen kissing the Statue of Peace in Itaewon, central Seoul, and dancing in front of the memorial.
The statue honors the tens of thousands of young Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military from 1910 to 1945.
As reported by The Korea Times, Somali later expressed regret for his actions in a video posted by YouTube channel Jcompany on Thursday.
Standing next to the statue, he bowed and offered an apology to the Koreans: “I want to apologize to Koreans. I didn’t understand the significance of the statue.”
Johnny Somali admitted that he had intended the stunt as entertainment for his American audience but now recognized his actions as disrespectful.
He concluded his apology in Korean, adding, “I’m truly sorry.”
The incident has spurred ongoing criticism, with many Koreans and others voicing their disapproval over what they see as a profound lack of cultural sensitivity and respect.