Johnny Somali apologizes to South Korea as he faces up to 10 years in prison

Controversial streamer Johnny Somali, known for his disturbing content, has issued an apology to the people of South Korea as he faces jail time for his latest actions.

Somali, who remains in South Korea because of an ongoing investigation for drug use – a charge that could result in up to ten years in prison under the country’s strict laws – acknowledged his behavior and expressed remorse.

The Somalis’ antics included inappropriate interactions with the Peace Statue, a monument dedicated to victims of sexual slavery by Japanese forces during World War II. His actions sparked backlash from South Korean streamers and locals, leading to physical confrontations, police intervention and criticism from the South Korean parliament.

On November 7, Somali addressed the controversy, saying, “I’m a young person and I want to grow. I made a mistake… I apologize and will no longer talk about or touch the statue.” He also attributed his actions to cultural misunderstandings, claiming that his behavior reflected differences between American and South Korean comedy styles.

Although the Somalis have apologised, his past incidents in Japan and Israel, including a kicking ban for “promoting violent behaviour”, have raised skepticism about his sincerity. His past admissions, such as lying in a Japanese court, add to the investigation surrounding his current apology.