Recently, a South Korean internet celebrity traveled to Changbai Mountain in Jilin, China, waving the South Korean flag and singing the South Korean national anthem. He was taken away by the Chinese public security for questioning. Eventually, he signed a commitment letter stating that he would not repeat his actions before being released.
On July 31st, a video went viral online. In the video, a South Korean internet celebrity ascended Changbai Mountain and live-streamed to interact with his fans. By the Tianchi, he took out the South Korean flag from his backpack, waved it, and joyfully sang the South Korean national anthem, only to have the flag snatched away by the staff nearby.
Confused, the South Korean internet celebrity asked, “What’s happening?” A South Korean tourist nearby reminded him, “This is Chinese territory, you can’t do that. You’re lucky you weren’t arrested.”
Nervously, the South Korean internet celebrity said, “Is this not allowed? Because it’s Chinese territory? Chinese laws are really strict…” He requested the staff to return the flag to him, saying, “I will put it back in my bag.” As a result, he was taken away by the public security.
About six hours later, he went live again to reassure his fans. He revealed that after he was taken away, the public security searched through all his belongings, even checking every photo in his phone’s album. Finally, he signed a commitment letter stating that he would not repeat his actions before being allowed to leave.
Following the incident, several South Korean media outlets such as YTN TV and the Korean newspaper “Chosun Ilbo” reported on this matter. According to South Korean media reports, the South Korean internet celebrity Girit is a travel blogger with over four hundred thousand followers who frequently travels to various countries and interacts with fans through live streams.
Some South Korean internet users commented, “Guides had warned before that there would be Chinese police there, so when going to Mount Baekdu, never wave the Taeguk flag and don’t sing the national anthem.”
The “Global Times” inquired about the matter with the Management Committee of Changbai Mountain Protection and Development Zone. A staff member mentioned that the incident occurred in the northern scenic area of Changbai Mountain but did not disclose the specific time.
The video has attracted attention on overseas networks. Many netizens commented, “I was at the peak of Mount Pilatus in Switzerland and encountered a group of Chinese tourists singing, waving a huge five-star flag, dancing, filming TikTok videos, occupying the entire mountaintop; foreigners and Asians were stunned.” “Waving the five-star flag abroad is fine, but raising flags of other countries in China is seen as trying to annex China…” “I heard that recently there was a film released in Mainland China called ‘Nanjing Studio,’ stirring up anti-Japanese sentiment…” “Leading with double standards.”