S. Korea urges Tokyo to ban the old imperial flag during 2020 Tokyo Olympics
- 5 years ago
As repercussions are expected following Japan's approval of the use of its old imperial flag by spectators during the Tokyo Olympics next year,... the South Korean government is strongly urging Tokyo to retract its stance.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
It looks like Japan's old imperial flag, which is seen as a symbol of its past militarism, will be used during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Officials from the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee sat down with their Japanese counterparts late last month to urge Tokyo to ban the use of the Rising Sun flag during the Olympics.
However, Tokyo refused to give a definite answer.
When Korean broadcaster SBS also requested the Japanese Olympic Committee to prohibit Japanese sports fans from flying the imperial flag during the Olympics,... the committee stressed that the Rising Sun flag itself does not entail any political significance,... and thus it cannot be prohibited.
To this, Seoul's foreign ministry on Tuesday strongly urged Tokyo to change its stance.
"I believe Japan is well aware that the Rising Sun flag is perceived as a symbol of its past militarism and imperialism. Tokyo needs to face its history with a humble attitude."
Saying that the use of sporting events as a tool for political messages violates ethical codes,... the ministry also said that it will cooperate with related ministries to urge the ban.
South Korea's parliamentary committee for culture, sports and tourism also approved a motion last week that calls for Tokyo's ban of the flag during the Olympics.
Meanwhile, the medals for the Tokyo Paralympic Games, which were revealed last week, also stood at the center of controversy,... as they resemble the old imperial flag.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
It looks like Japan's old imperial flag, which is seen as a symbol of its past militarism, will be used during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Officials from the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee sat down with their Japanese counterparts late last month to urge Tokyo to ban the use of the Rising Sun flag during the Olympics.
However, Tokyo refused to give a definite answer.
When Korean broadcaster SBS also requested the Japanese Olympic Committee to prohibit Japanese sports fans from flying the imperial flag during the Olympics,... the committee stressed that the Rising Sun flag itself does not entail any political significance,... and thus it cannot be prohibited.
To this, Seoul's foreign ministry on Tuesday strongly urged Tokyo to change its stance.
"I believe Japan is well aware that the Rising Sun flag is perceived as a symbol of its past militarism and imperialism. Tokyo needs to face its history with a humble attitude."
Saying that the use of sporting events as a tool for political messages violates ethical codes,... the ministry also said that it will cooperate with related ministries to urge the ban.
South Korea's parliamentary committee for culture, sports and tourism also approved a motion last week that calls for Tokyo's ban of the flag during the Olympics.
Meanwhile, the medals for the Tokyo Paralympic Games, which were revealed last week, also stood at the center of controversy,... as they resemble the old imperial flag.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.