Korean player makes monkey gestures to Japan

[DonaldT]

Just wanted to bring this to everyones attention:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/celtic/8286342/Ki-Sung-Yeung-Asian-Cup-monkey-celebration-was-for-Scottish-fans.html

Apparently, during the Asian Cup semi-final, while taking a penalty kick, the Korean player (Ki Sung-Yeung) looked up into the stands to see a Japanese empire flag among the Japanese fans:
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6306/japaneseempireflag.png
After scoring the goal, after being so outraged by the Empire flag display, he did a 'monkey' celebration by pulling a face and scratching his cheek.

Now apparently, most Japanese people didn't even realize (As was the case with myself) that this was a monkey gesture or that it was directed at them. IT was only picked up on by other Korean people and they went nuts on the web about it.

I'd be interested to hear from Ahknaton about all this. Is the Empire Flag equivalent to the Nazi flag in Korea, or something?

Almost all Japanese people don't really wave that particular flag with any malice or attempt to offend.

[Petr]

Koreans are sometimes called "the Irishmen of the Orient." They recall the Japanese rule with about as much fondness as the Irish feel towards England. Or even worse...


BZHy2NDU9R8

[Jake Featherston]

If the Japanese are bothered by this, they are idiots. There are some races that just can't be insulted racially by certain other races, and the idea of any Asiatic mocking a Japanese on the basis of race is laughable. I mean, there's a reason Black people don't talk about how Whites are all stupid, lazy, look like monkeys, etc. Its because we'd just laugh if off as obviously untrue. If the Japanese haven't got enough confidence to realize they aren't like monkeys, well, then maybe they are a bit like monkeys after all.

[Nemesis]

They weren't even aware that they were supposed to take offense.

Now apparently, most Japanese people didn't even realize (As was the case with myself) that this was a monkey gesture or that it was directed at them.

[ScottishStalinist1]

Celtic's Ki celebration 'highlights Scottish abuse'

The Asian Football Confederation will take no action over Ki Sung-Yeung's perceived racist celebration following his goal against Japan.

And the South Korean authorities claim the Celtic midfielder's intention was to highlight abuse he has received while playing in Scotland.

After converting a penalty in Tuesday's semi-final, Ki appeared to impersonate a monkey, sparking outrage in Japan.

After a 2-2 draw, Japan won the match on penalties.

"The treatment he got from the Scottish league, especially in the away games, the people who made noises like the sound of the monkeys in Scotland when he played away games, that is something he wanted to highlight," said a Korea Football Association spokesman.

"Even though they call him a monkey as an Asian, he wanted to show how strong they are in Asia. That was the main intention."

The Japanese Football Association accepted their Korean counterparts' explanation of the incident and like the AFC, have no intention of pursuing the matter further. The AFC also confirmed there has been no contact from Fifa over the issue.

"We are aware of the goal celebration but we don't think it impacts on any country," said AFC tournament director Tokuaki Suzuki.

"The issue, according to my understanding, has already been resolved after communication between the Japan Football Association and the Korea Football Association.

"AFC will not take any legal action in this matter."

Japan will meet Australia in Saturday's final in Qatar, while South Korea take on Uzbekistan for third place.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/9378246.stm

[harjit]

Monkeys are generally viewed positively in Japan.

[DonaldT]

If the Japanese are bothered by this, they are idiots. There are some races that just can't be insulted racially by certain other races, and the idea of any Asiatic mocking a Japanese on the basis of race is laughable. I mean, there's a reason Black people don't talk about how Whites are all stupid, lazy, look like monkeys, etc. Its because we'd just laugh if off as obviously untrue. If the Japanese haven't got enough confidence to realize they aren't like monkeys, well, then maybe they are a bit like monkeys after all.

Yeah I think so too.

The Japanese have created and achieved more than the Koreans ever have. It's humorous that the story has barely made a trickle here in Japan, whereas in Korea the guy is probably a national hero.