Banner at Korea-Japan soccer game stirs trouble

"A nation which forgets its history has no future."

By Isaac Kim

Japanese media outlets grew upset over the Korean banner, “A nation which forgets its history has no future,” sprawled across Korean fans at the East Asian Cup Korea-Japan football match on July 28.

The Japanese media also reported on the banners depicting Admiral Yi Sun-shin and independence martyr An Jung-geun.

“Voicing political statements in a football game is strictly forbidden, and according to FIFA regulations, Korea may face repercussions,” commented Sankei News.

The Japanese paper added that Korean player Park Jong-woo faced consequences for running onto the field with a placard reading, “Dokdo is our land,” at the London Olympics Korea-Japan match last year.

“The face of anti-Japanese movement hero An Jung-geun was hanging on a banner before the game,” stated Yomiuri News. “It’s a shame they brought historical issues to a sports competition.”