US YouTuber Johnny Somali Sentenced to Six Months in South Korea

American livestreamer Johnny Somali, whose real name is Ismael Ramsey Khalid, has been sentenced to six months in jail by a South Korean court for public nuisance.

The 25-year-old was convicted on Wednesday following charges related to provocative acts involving a statue representing World War Two sex slaves.

Khalid posted a video showing himself kissing and performing lap dances on the statue, which sparked outrage in South Korea.

Seoul authorities initially charged Khalid in November 2024, and he has been barred from leaving the country since then.

The court also found him guilty of distributing sexual deepfakes and other offenses.

Prosecutors had sought a three-year prison term, but the judges imposed a reduced sentence, citing the absence of severe harm to victims.

In addition to the jail term, Khalid is prohibited from working with organisations serving minors and people with disabilities upon his release.

The case has drawn attention due to the sensitive nature of the statue, which commemorates women forced into sexual slavery by Japanese soldiers during World War Two.

The statues, often depicting a young woman seated in a chair, have been installed across South Korea by activists to remember the "comfort women." These memorials have previously caused diplomatic tensions between South Korea and Japan, as Seoul continues to seek reparations for the victims.

Khalid, known for provocative content and banned from several streaming platforms, had apologised in November 2024, saying he "didn't understand the significance of the statue." However, many expressed scepticism about his sincerity.

During investigations, Khalid challenged locals to fight him and was seen being punched and chased in videos.

He also caused disturbances on public transport, vandalised a convenience store, and streamed obscene videos in public.

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