The latest Japanese animated film "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Infinity Castle" has become a massive box office success in South Korea, drawing over 4.5 million viewers as of Tuesday. However, the film's popularity has reignited a sensitive historical controversy surrounding imagery that resembles Japan's Rising Sun flag, a symbol that many Koreans associate with Japan's imperial past and wartime aggression.

Seo Kyoung-duk, a prominent professor at Sungshin Women's University who is well-known for his campaigns to address historical and cultural misrepresentations of Korea, raised serious concerns about the anime's use of Rising Sun flag-inspired designs. On Tuesday, he specifically criticized accessories featured in the animation and pointed to the sale of related merchandise that incorporates these controversial symbols. The professor emphasized that the Rising Sun flag remains a deeply painful reminder of Japanese militarism and colonial rule for many people in Korea and across Asia.

The controversy centers around earrings worn by the main character Kamado Tanjiro, which feature a design that closely resembles the disputed flag. Seo highlighted that numerous online shopping platforms and retail stores have been selling replica accessories based on these earrings, despite their historical significance. The professor shared evidence of these products being sold on Korean e-commerce websites through his social media channels, drawing attention to what he sees as a concerning oversight.

This is not the first time that "Demon Slayer" has faced backlash over this issue in South Korea. When the previous film "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train" was released in 2019, similar concerns were raised about the Rising Sun imagery, which ultimately led to design modifications specifically for Korean audiences. The recurring nature of this controversy demonstrates the ongoing sensitivity surrounding this historical symbol.

The Rising Sun flag holds particular significance in Korea due to its association with Japan's colonial occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. During this period, the flag served as the official standard of the Imperial Japanese military and is now widely viewed by Koreans as a symbol of war crimes and oppression. Many Korean consumers and activists regularly protest against products and images that feature similar designs, arguing that such items show disrespect for Korean history and lack cultural sensitivity.

In his social media statement, Professor Seo emphasized the importance of acknowledging the historical trauma that the Rising Sun flag represents for many Koreans and neighboring countries. "While the film enjoys tremendous popularity, it is vital to acknowledge the historical wounds the Rising Sun flag symbolizes for many Koreans and neighboring countries," he wrote. He further criticized the sale of such merchandise, stating that "allowing such merchandise to be sold without careful review disregards national sentiment and historical context."

Seo called upon major e-commerce platforms and retailers to take immediate action and recognize their social responsibility in this matter. He argued that while it is natural for companies to seek profit maximization, they must also demonstrate understanding and respect for the historical sensitivities and national sentiments of the markets they serve. The professor specifically urged Korea's major online marketplaces to remove these controversial products immediately, emphasizing that commercial interests should not override historical awareness and cultural sensitivity.