A controversy has arisen following claims that a large Rising Sun flag has been displayed at a mountain hut on Mt. Fuji, a major tourist destination in Japan.

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University stated on his social media today (August 11), "We recently received reports containing photos and videos showing a Rising Sun flag hoisted on a flagpole at a mountain hut on Mt. Fuji."

The Rising Sun flag is the banner used by Japan when it invaded various Asian countries, including the Pacific War, and symbolizes militarism and imperialism.

Professor Seo pointed out, "Mt. Fuji is a place visited by many foreign tourists," adding, "The big problem is that tourists take photos and videos without knowing the history of the Rising Sun flag, treating it as if it were a Japanese symbol."

Professor Seo also brought up the point that wooden sticks attached with the Rising Sun flag continue to be sold popular among tourists at various mountain huts on Mt. Fuji, criticizing that the commercialization of the Rising Sun flag persists.

He criticized, "Such a situation is nothing more than denying the war crimes and historical atrocities they committed in the past."

Professor Seo stated, "As continuous reports are coming in from South Korean tourists, we plan to produce multilingual videos using the photos and videos to publicize the problem of the 'Mt. Fuji Rising Sun flag'."

Netizens who saw Professor Seo's post reacted sharply, saying, "It is normal thinking not to use it if neighboring countries that suffered invasions feel uncomfortable," and "It is regrettable that there seems to be neither reflection nor shame."

(Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Jang Yu-jin | Graphics by Lee Su-min | Produced by SBS Digital News)