Johnny Somali Faces 10-Year Imprisonment as South Korean Authorities Impose Travel Ban

Streamer Johnny Somali Faces Legal Troubles in South Korea

Johnny Somali, a controversial figure in the streaming community, has found himself in legal jeopardy after being prohibited from leaving South Korea. Somali could potentially face a prison sentence exceeding a decade if convicted on charges related to assault and drug offenses.

A Troubled History in Streaming

The streamer’s contentious journey began in 2023, marked by disruptive behavior during broadcasts in countries like Japan and Israel. His antics, which involved frequent confrontations with law enforcement, garnered significant backlash, including a notable denunciation from fellow streamer PewDiePie.

PewDiePie publicly chastised Somali in a YouTube video, accusing him of damaging Japan’s reputation. In a strong response, Somali threatened legal action against PewDiePie for allegedly defamatory remarks, labeling him a “terrorist.”

Escalation in South Korea

In September 2024, Somali arrived in South Korea, where his disruptive activities continued unabated. His behavior included getting ejected from a subway and causing disturbances in local convenience stores. Notably, he sparked public outrage by kissing the Statue of Peace, a significant monument dedicated to victims of wartime sexual slavery.

Kick Streamer Johnny Somali gets Beat up in Korea by a Korean Youtuber😳🫣”Hey Boy, are you crazy Boy” pic.twitter.com/QN573U5Lhs

— Charging… (@RedPillSayian) October 31, 2024

Public Outrage and Consequences

Somali’s antics have ignited a wave of public anger, leading to physical confrontations initiated by South Koreans. A local YouTuber even offered a reward of $770 for information about Somali’s whereabouts to encourage continued backlash against him.

Currently, Somali remains unable to depart South Korea as his case has gained the attention of the South Korean parliament. According to reports from Yahoo, he is under investigation for both assault and narcotics-related charges.

Legal Implications in South Korea

In South Korea, the legal ramifications for drug use are severe, with potential sentences reaching up to ten years in prison or fines as high as 100 million won (approximately $72,500 USD). Assault charges, on the other hand, may lead to a maximum of two years behind bars or fines of up to 5 million won (around $3,600 USD).

A Return to Court?

If Somali’s case proceeds to trial, it will not be his first court appearance in Asia. He previously faced legal action in Japan, where he confessed to deceiving the court by claiming he was not profiting from streaming and was merely producing “documentaries.”

For more insights and updates regarding this unfolding saga, check out the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hecYcpnpgHM

American YouTuber Johnny Somali booked for obstruction, barred from leaving Korea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hecYcpnpgHM)