American YouTuber and streamer Johnny Somali (real name Ramsey Khalid Ismael) is facing a potential 10-year prison sentence in South Korea after a controversial incident in which he kissed and posed with a statue dedicated to 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, sparked widespread outrage.
In a video posted on October 9, he was seen kissing the Statue of Peace in Itaewon, a memorial honoring the tens of thousands of Korean women who were subjected to forced sexual slavery by the Japanese military from 1910 to 1945. Somali also performed a dance in front of the statue, further intensifying the backlash.
The video quickly went viral, and Somali faced severe criticism from Koreans and others for his lack of cultural sensitivity and respect.
In response to the controversy, Somali issued an apology in a video posted on YouTube channel Jcompany.
He expressed regret, saying, “I want to apologize to Koreans. I didn’t understand the significance of the statue… I made a mistake, and I think when you make a mistake in life, you need to own up to it.”
Despite his apology, Somali could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the charges. His case has ignited debates on cultural awareness and respect for historical symbols, with many condemning his actions as offensive to the victims of wartime sexual slavery.
In a separate development, Somali has also been indicted for causing a disturbance at a convenience store in South Korea.
Prosecutors revealed that Somali confronted a store employee after being told not to drink alcohol inside and allegedly made sexist remarks.
As a result, Somali is under a travel ban and is not allowed to leave South Korea while his case is being processed.
This incident is the latest in a series of controversial stunts by Somali, who has previously faced criticism for his disruptive behavior in public spaces.
