A YouTuber from Sweden active in Korea revealed that he received unfair treatment at a Japanese airport entry inspection because he has a "Taegeukgi tattoo."
On the 1st, YouTuber "Swede in Korea" posted a video titled "Reasons for the racial discrimination remarks and investigation after seeing my Taegeukgi tattoo at a Japanese airport."
The Swede in Korea, who has lived in Korea for eight years, said, "I want to share a story that I will never forget for the rest of my life, and that was quite shocking, which happened at a Japanese airport."
He traveled to Japan for a week of rest last year. When he handed over his passport for inspection, the airport staff saw the tattoos of the hibiscus and Taegeukgi on his arm and asked with a stern expression, "What is this tattoo?"
The Swede in Korea mentioned, "I got this tattoo because I wanted to permanently engrave the experiences I've had and the love I've developed for this country, Korea, through the people I've met and the culture I've experienced over the past seven years."
He added, "The voice was really cold and frightening as they said, 'Why does a foreigner have to tattoo the symbol of Korea?'"
He expressed that he felt a surge of emotion at that moment and was taken to a security interview room for questioning.
The Swede in Korea recalled, "The moment I entered that room, cold sweat was pouring down my hands. Imagine it. A white room with cameras rolling, a single desk, and two staff members. I thought I was in North Korea," adding that "the staff looked at my tattoos strangely and kept asking questions like 'Who suggested this?' 'What activities have you done in Korea?' and 'Why did you tattoo the Taegeukgi and hibiscus there?'"
In response, he looked at the Japanese staff and explained again, "The Taegeukgi and hibiscus are not just simple designs. They are tattoos that express the time I've spent in Korea, the warmth I've felt there, and my love for that country." After he finished speaking, the staff quickly checked his passport again and said, "You may enter."
The Swede in Korea noted, "I absolutely couldn't understand why it just ended like that. There was no apology or explanation. They just wrapped it up that way," adding, "While traveling, I kept thinking about how upsetting that situation was and wondered if I had made a mistake in getting that tattoo in the first place."
He continued, "However, after a few days while traveling, as I sorted out my thoughts, I realized something. (The tattoo) is precisely what shows who I am. I am a foreigner, right? I truly love Korea, its culture, and its people. I even accepted the uncomfortable experiences as part of my life."
He stated, "The reason I proudly display the hibiscus on my body and the Taegeukgi is not just because it is a beautiful design, but because I empathize with the spirit, history, and symbolism contained within it."