Incheon Removes 'Upside-Down Taegeuki' Banner Amid Controversy, Explains Design

Incheon City voluntarily removed a banner featuring an upside-down Taegeuki (South Korean flag) just two days after its installation, following a growing backlash.

According to Incheon City today (August 9), the city hung a banner near the rear gate of City Hall on August 6 to commemorate the 81st Liberation Day.

The banner featured the phrase "The 81st Liberation Day, the day light is reclaimed," alongside an illustration of an independence activist holding and waving a Taegeuki with both hands.

However, controversy grew as criticism poured in online pointing out that the Taegeuki pattern was inverted, with blue on top and red on the bottom. Super Junior member Kim Hee-chul also joined the criticism by leaving a comment saying, "This is freaking insane."

In response, Incheon City explained that the flag was not drawn incorrectly, but rather depicted from a perspective looking up from below at an independence activist waving the Taegeuki.

Nevertheless, judging that it could cause misunderstandings for citizens when viewed in two dimensions, the city removed the banner yesterday, just two days after its installation.

An Incheon City official stated, "We failed to meticulously look into how it would appear in a two-dimensional format," adding, "Moving forward, we will review matters more thoroughly to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings."

(Photo: Provided by Incheon City, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.