Foreigner arrested for not wearing red

A foreigner was arrested Saturday during South Korea's win over Greece at the World Cup. Samuel Kigens, 26, was held on one charge of indecent clothing. According to Chief Director of Police, Lee Dae Min, he was "not wearing red to a Korean football game."

An additional charge is pending against Kigens for "not knowing the chants and songs" that everyone was singing around him. Although the chants and rhythms are not taught anywhere in English, it is still expected of all people watching South Korea soccer.

"I don't know what I did wrong," Kigens was quoted as saying. "Everyone around me was wearing red, but I didn't realize I needed to as well. Is that really a law?" Kigens, an English teacher in Korea for a month, had not realized that Koreans only take sports seriously when there's a chance of them winning.

Approximately twenty-five people were charged with "cheering for or supporting the opposition" - that is, the Greek national team. While they were not arrested, they were given a warning regarding their "disagreeable behavior".

In all, a total of fifty-four people - mostly foreign residents - were arrested or charged. Most were taken to an undisclosed location in downtown Seoul, along with "a few people" who had been charged with actual crimes, including theft, harassment, and misconduct.

Kigens is expected to pay a 145,000 won fine, although Lee mentioned "the charge will be dropped as a courtesy." When Kigens was asked of his future soccer-watching plans, he shrugged and stated, "Guess I'll watch the games at home."

This is satire. Wear red to South Korea soccer / football games. That is all.

Share Delicious Bookmark this on Delicious

Creative Commons License © Chris Backe - 2010

This post was originally published on my blog, Chris in South Korea. If you are reading this on another website and there is no linkback or credit given, you are reading an UNAUTHORIZED FEED.