Johnny Somali, a provocative YouTube streamer, has been formally charged with assault and drug use in South Korea. His recent provocative actions during streams abroad have drawn significant attention from both the South Korean public and government officials.
The country’s Somali, a South Korean-based YouTuber was the subject of intense controversy sparked by several disruptive incidents. Among others, he caused a fuss after kissing, live broadcast on YouTube, Korea’s “Statue of Peace” honoring South Korea’s victims of Japanese wartime sexual slavery, on Sept 27, prompting thousands of local citizens to shout at him that he would be better leaving South Korea, writes Yonhap News in the article on South Korean police confirming the charges Somalia has against himself. Further tensions escalated when Somali caused a public disturbance by spilling ramen in a convenience store and was removed from a train for making loud, inappropriate noises.
This action has now brought forth many controversies to the South Korean parliament. In its October 30 parliamentary sitting, one member asked: Will authorities deal with this much harsher than any in their books? Johnny Somali: The chairman clarified, monitoring Johnny Somali’s police report says so too.
Somalian himself delivered an address to his charges on live stream, on October 29, with the title “Catch me if you can Korean NEETS,” warning others that he will “legally prosecute” or “sue” those who are trying to track him. There was a rumor about his whereabouts since he posted a photo of himself at Incheon International Airport, but due to confirmation, Somali remains in South Korea to this day.
Under heavy public scrutiny and ongoing court proceedings, the eventual outcome of Somali’s case may present a litmus test for South Korea’s handling of such disruptive foreign influencers.
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