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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
On Sunday, "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung penned an open letter to UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre regarding the gi he wore to the cage at UFC 158. Citing the "Rising Sun" flag symbol that St-Pierre sported, Jung went on to explain why that image was offensive to many in the Koreas and several other countries in Southeast Asia, given its attachment to the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy and the acts committed under both during World War II.
He equated the symbol's meaning to Nazi Germany's use of the swastika, and how that symbol carries meaning around the world. While he didn't think St-Pierre meant to offend anyone, he felt the need to speak out to what he believed to be an ignorance to that symbol's meaning to him and his countrymen, in hopes that it wouldn't be used in the future.
His efforts, along with others who have commented on the matter, have been taken to heart by Hyabusa, the apparel company and sponsor of St-Pierre who provided the gi for UFC 158. Company co-president Craig Clement released a statement on Facebook on Monday in response to the blowback, expressing regret for their design choice and taking responsibility for the matter. Here's his statement in full:
"Since Georges St-Pierre wore our walkout gi at UFC 158 we have received attention surrounding the negative connotation of the rising sun graphic used. The last thing we want is to offend or alienate anyone with the choice of design on our products.
We at Hayabusa have the utmost respect for culture and history and appreciate all of our customers worldwide. As such, we accept full responsibility for this design and are taking all complaints and comments very seriously.
The gi worn by GSP will not be brought to market. In addition, we will be very conscious of this specific design element when developing future communication materials and products.
Please accept our sincerest apology for any offence this has caused. If you have any questions or comments regarding this matter, please feel free to discuss it with us at customerservice@hayabusafightwear.com. One of our representatives will be happy to assist you.
Penick's Analysis: This was a very sincere response from Clement and I'm glad they addressed it as quickly as they did following Jung's open letter. This was simply a matter of ignorance to the significance of that particular symbol, the type of cultural ignorance that is very prevalent worldwide from one place to another. The "Rising Sun" symbol's significance is simply not a widely addressed or realized thing in the Western world, and though that may not be right it's simply a fact. Jung giving a short history lesson and Hyabusa learning from that is a good thing, and anyone else who has come to realize something in the wake of that letter adds to the goal Jung had in writing it.
UPDATE: St-Pierre added a response on Facebook as well: "I'd like to also personally apologize to anyone who was offended by this. I am very sorry, that was never my intention."
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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