Hayabusa apologizes for St-Pierre 'Rising Sun' gi in wake of Jung complaint

If nothing else, Chan Sung Jung may have helped teach the MMA world a history lesson.

“The Korean Zombie” on Sunday took to his official Facebook page to issue a challenge of sorts to UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. The featherweight contender didn’t want to fight GSP, of course. He wanted him to stop wearing his walkout gi.

St-Pierre’s walkout attire, made by apparel company Hayabusa Fightwear Inc., for his UFC 158 win over Nick Diaz earlier this month was a white gi adorned on the left side with a red sun-like symbol. To most, that might seem innocent enough. The Japaense theme has long been a part of St-Pierre’s walkout gear, including a white headband with a red circle on the front to resemble the current flag of Japan.

But Jung believed the “Rising Sun” on St-Pierre’s gi is too close to the image that was used as the war flag of Japan’s imperial army until the end of World War II. In his Facebook statement, Jung, from South Korea, said that symbol is one that is offensive in many Asian countries that suffered at the hands of Japan’s military.

“As one of many Koreans who like you as an incredible athlete, I feel like I should tell you that many Korean fans, including myself, were shocked to see you in your gi designed after the Japanese ‘Rising Sun Flag,’” Jung stated. “For Asians, this flag is a symbol of war crimes, much like the German Hakenkreuzflagge. Did you know that? I hope not. Just like Nazis, the Japanese also committed atrocities under the name of ‘Militarism’. You can easily learn what they’ve done by googling (please do), although it’s only the tiny tip of an enormous iceberg.”

In response, Hayabusa co-president Craig Clement on Monday issued a statement apologizing to anyone offended, saying the company takes full responsibility for the design.

On the surface, Jung didn’t seem to believe St-Pierre’s wearing of the symbol came with any malicious intent, but rather out of simply not knowing what that symbol often represents to a large segment of the Asian population.

“Many Westerners like to wear clothes designed after the symbol under which so many war crimes and so much tragedy happened, which is ridiculous,” Jung stated. “I know most of them are not militarists. I know most of them do not approve unjustified invasion, torture, massacre, etc. They’re just ignorant. It’s such a shame that many Westerners are not aware of this tragic fact. Wearing ‘Rising Sun’ outfits is as bad as wearing clothes with the Nazi mark on it, if not worse.

“Since you’re influenced by Japanese martial arts, your wearing a headband designed after (the) Japanese flag is understandable. But again, that huge ‘Rising Sun’ on your gi means something else.”

St-Pierre isn’t the first athlete to come under recent fire for Rising Sun symbolism. The Japanese Olympic uniforms this past summer for the 2012 Games had a design resembling the Rising Sun symbol. Prior to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Japanese fans were warned that displaying the Rising Sun flag at events could trigger some issues in the host country.

Additionally, versions of the symbol can be found on products in Japan, and a modified version with eight rays instead of 16 is used as the flag of Japan’s Ground Self Defense Force.

Jung challenged St-Pierre to set a new example for his fans by no longer wearing the symbol.

“Many people say GSP is the best welterweight fighter throughout history, to which I totally agree,” Jung stated. “This means you have a great influence on every single fan of yours all around the world. And I do believe your wearing ‘the symbol of war crime’ is a very bad example for them, not to mention for yourself. So, what do you reckon? Do you want to wear the same gi next time as well?”

Hayabusa may have answered that question for the champ.

“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,” Clement stated. “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 offense this has caused.”

After St-Pierre’s unanimous decision win over Diaz in Montreal on March 16, he vowed a vacation following his second title defense in four months. He next is expected to face Johny Hendricks later this year, though a date has not been set. Jung in July meets Ricardo Lamas in a featherweight contenders bout at UFC 162 in Las Vegas.

For complete coverage of UFC 158, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

(Pictured: Georges St-Pierre)