A South Korean court on Friday ordered an exhibition of the popular Japanese manga "One Piece" to be shown after it was canceled over a drawing similar to the Rising Sun flag — considered a symbol of Japan's aggression in the country — that appeared in the original series, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
The Seoul Western District Court granted an application for provisional measures to the event company planning to stage the show of character figures from the adventure cartoon series. The organizer objected to the cancelation of the event.
It remained unclear when the show would actually be held.
The War Memorial for Korea, run by the South Korean government, decided to cancel a contract on leasing out an exhibition room with the event company. The show itself did not have a plan for displaying anything resembling the flag, according to organizers.
Versions of the Rising Sun flag were used by the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. A newer version is now used by the Ground Self-Defense Force. South Koreans are showing increasing aversion to the flag, with lawmakers having presented legislation in the national legislature to penalize its use in public places.
The memorial was set up to honor those who died in the Korean War and to educate people about the importance of defending the country. On its website, the memorial had said confusion associated with the event was inappropriate for the hall of national defense.
