A photo posted by American YouTuber Johnny Somali on his YouTube account / Captured from YouTube

American YouTuber infamous for stunts involving a girl statue symbolizing the victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery was assaulted for the third time since his arrival in Korea.

The assailant, a man in his 20s with a background in the ROK Navy's Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), was arrested at the scene.

Johnny Somali, a 24-year-old YouTuber known for controversial actions like kissing the statue representing victims of Japan's wartime sexual enslavement, often euphemistically referred to as "comfort women," was assaulted for the third time since his arrival in Korea.

According to Seoul's Songpa Police on Thursday, the incident occurred on a street in Songpa District, where the man, identified as A, confronted Somali, asking, “Where are you going?” before abruptly striking him. Somali suffered only minor injuries.

Somali, who has about 20,000 subscribers, has sparked outrage in Korea with his provocative actions, including spilling instant noodles on convenience store tables and disrespecting the Statue of Peace. Korean netizens' anger has made him a target for several YouTubers, and he was previously attacked twice in Mapo District on Oct. 24 and 27.

The assailant is also a YouTuber with around 8,000 subscribers and has posted videos identifying himself as a former UDT member, pledging to “catch Johnny Somali.” Police responded to reports of a gathering of YouTubers and arrested him at the scene.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.