Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
Rising Sun flag at WBC Korea-Japan game sparks criticism
A Rising Sun flag is displayed by Japanese supporters ahead of the Korea-Japan game at the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome, Saturday. Screen capture from professor Seo Kyoung-duk’s social media
By Bahk Eun-ji
The appearance of the Rising Sun flag during a World Baseball Classic (WBC) game between Korea and Japan has sparked criticism after Japanese spectators were seen displaying the controversial symbol at Tokyo Dome.
The flag, widely associated with the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, is viewed by many throughout Asia as a symbol of the country’s militaristic colonial past, including its 35-year rule over Korea.
The incident occurred during the 2026 WBC match played Saturday.
Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University, said he sent a protest email to the tournament’s organizers after reports showed several Japanese fans holding and waving the controversial flags before entering the stadium.
“Some Japanese fans were openly displaying the Rising Sun flag and cheering before entering Tokyo Dome,” Seo wrote on social media Saturday, citing footage reported by broadcaster JTBC.
“The Rising Sun flag is a symbol of Japan’s militarism and imperialism,” he said. “Using it while cheering denies the history of Japan’s past wars of aggression and reminds many Asians of the horrors of war.”
The controversy echoes a similar incident during the 2023 WBC game between Korea and Japan, also held at Tokyo Dome, when spectators displayed the same flag in the stands.
The use of the Rising Sun flag has repeatedly drawn criticism in international sports. FIFA drew global attention when it swiftly stopped Japanese supporters from displaying the flag during the Qatar World Cup.
Seo urged WBC organizers to take similar action.
“I asked the organizers to ban the Rising Sun flag at WBC games and take strong measures to prevent this from happening again,” Seo said.