By Lee Hyo-sik
MBC, the nation’s second largest broadcaster, is drawing public criticism for airing Japan’s rising sun flag, a symbol of the country’s imperialism during the late 1800s and early 1900s, in a documentary featuring the Antarctic.
The first episode of the four-part documentary series titled “Tears of the Antarctic” aired Friday. While introducing a range of activities at a Japanese base in the Antarctica, the image of one base member waving the flag aboard a naval ship was included in the program.
Afterwards, many viewers expressed discontent that MBC didn’t cut the scene showing the flag that reminds everyone of Japan’s militaristic imperialism.
One viewer wrote on the station’s online bulletin board that MBC should have edited the clip. “I don’t understand why the broadcaster showed the rising sun flag that offends Koreans and people in other parts of Asia. MBC should have been more careful about what to show.”
Another viewer said she did not approve of the program’s narration that said, “Japan is seeking new hope after overcoming the pain of defeat.”
The flag, originally used in 1870 by the imperial army, is widely considered to represent Japan’s militaristic imperialism and colonization of the Korean Peninsula in 1910 as well as the invasion of China and other Asian countries which ultimately led to it declaring war on the United States in 1941.
In a bid to contain the growing controversy, MBC issued a statement Saturday, saying it appreciates the comments and interest from the many viewers about its new documentary.
“It is unfortunate that we did not properly convey the real meaning behind the airing of the rising sun flag. We showed the flag to emphasize Japan’s tenacity towards Antarctica,” the statement said. “It is true that Japan hoisted the rising sun flag as their navel flag when exploring the Earth’s last frontier. The production crew filmed the activities of the Japanese base as an observer.”
The broadcaster also said the last part of the documentary will explain in detail why the controversial flag was included.