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An American YouTuber who sparked widespread outrage after filming himself kissing a statue dedicated to Korean wartime sex slavery victims has been sentenced to six months in prison by a court in Seoul.
The creator, Johnny Somali, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, became known for a series of controversial and provocative stunts recorded during his travels in South Korea and Japan, which he later shared on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch.
South Korean authorities indicted him in 2024 on charges including public order violations and obstruction of business. He was also barred from leaving the country during legal proceedings.
According to the Seoul Western District Court, he has now been formally sentenced to six months in prison.
The case stems from an incident in October 2024 when Somali posted a video showing himself kissing and dancing near a memorial statue honouring Korean women forced into sexual slavery during Japan’s wartime occupation, commonly referred to as “comfort women.”
The video triggered strong public backlash in South Korea and was later removed from online platforms.
Somali later issued an apology, claiming he was unaware of the statue’s historical significance. However, public anger persisted, and he reportedly faced confrontations and occasional physical altercations while in the country.
He had previously drawn criticism in Japan in 2023 for other controversial behaviour, including making insensitive remarks about Hiroshima and Nagasaki while filming commuters on public transport.
