YouTuber Johnny Somali could face a 10-yr-prison sentence for kissing a statue in South Korea. Here's why

A moment of recklessness has landed an American social media influencer in hot water. Johnny Somali, a 24-year-old American YouTuber, has sparked outrage after he was seen kissing a statue that represented Korean women who were victims of sexual assault during the era of the Japanese occupation of Korea. During a visit to the Changdong History and Culture Park in Seoul, the YouTuber thoughtlessly kissed and posed with the statue.

On October 9, he uploaded a video showing himself kissing the Statue of Peace in Itaewon, central Seoul, while also performing an inappropriate dance in front of the monument. The statue honors the tens of thousands of young women who were subjected to sexual slavery by the Japanese military during Korea’s occupation from 1910 to 1945.

As reported by The Korea Times, Somali conveyed his remorse for his actions in a video shared by the YouTube channel Jcompany on Thursday. Standing next to the statue, Johnny bowed to the Korean audience and said, “I want to apologise to Koreans. I didn’t understand the significance of the statue.” He further explained that his intent had been to entertain his American audience, but acknowledged that his behaviour was disrespectful. Somali also added in Korean, “I’m truly sorry.”

Koreans In No Mood To Forgive

Despite his apology, many viewers remain skeptical about Somali's sincerity. Critics highlight that he has not yet taken down numerous contentious posts from his social media. One particularly controversial moment was when Somali shared an image on Instagram holding a photo of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, accompanied by the caption, "I defeated Koreans for you, Shinzo Abe." While the YouTube video has been removed, the Instagram post still exists, now with a modified caption reading, "RIP Shinzo Abe!"

Somali’s List Of Offences Is Long

Somali deliberately sought to provoke South Koreans, including Kyung Hee University students and bystanders, by displaying a drawing of the Japanese rising sun flag, a symbol widely considered offensive in the country due to its ties to Japan’s wartime aggression.

Additionally, Somali played explicit content loudly while riding the subway, drawing considerable attention. He was ultimately warned by subway security for drinking and playing loud music, which led to his removal from the train. On a bus, he further provoked passengers by playing North Korean songs. When confronted by citizens, Somali responded with racist comments and demanded they speak to him in English.

During a live broadcast, Somali also mocked President Yoon Suk Yeol by kissing a photo of him and then making an obscene gesture, sarcastically declaring, “I love the Korean President. He is a great leader. Thank you for keeping me safe and under police protection.”

The Aftermath

Somali, whose full name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, is being investigated for hindering business operations and suspected drug use. Authorities have placed a travel restriction on him to stop him from fleeing the country while the inquiry continues. According to a report by Game Rant, his actions in South Korea could result in a 10-year prison sentence.