An American YouTuber known as Johnny Somali, who is currently on trial for offensive behavior, could be deported and banned from reentering South Korea if convicted, a local lawyer said.
The 24-year-old whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael faces three charges, which include obstruction of business and violations of the Minor Offenses Act. He is not physically detained, although he is banned from leaving the country.
Kim Ju-hyeong, a senior attorney at the law firm Majung, who specializes in immigration and industrial accident law, said if he is found guilty of any of the charges, the local immigration office will likely demand he leave the country.
“Foreigners are ordered to leave the country, either voluntarily or forcibly, if their criminal actions result in a fine of more than 3 million won ($2,058). Considering the multiple charges against Ismael and the serious nature of his offenses, it is very unlikely that he will receive a lighter penalty than this," he said.
At his first trial hearing on March 7, Ismael admitted to all charges.
The charges stem from his creating a commotion at a convenience store in Seoul’s Mapo-gu in October 2024 by playing loud music and spilling cup ramyeon. In the same month, he also allegedly disturbed pedestrians on the streets and public transport with a stinky bag of fish and loud music.
Additionally, his video showing him kissing a "comfort woman" statue, which represents victims of wartime sexual slavery in Korea, sparked widespread anger among South Koreans.
Kim explained that if the court imposes a prison sentence on Ismael, he would have to serve his term in a local prison. After completing his time, he would then have to leave the country and be detained in an immigration detention center until his departure.
A prison term with a suspended sentence would also be followed by either a departure order or deportation order, depending on the discretion of the immigration authorities, the lawyer explained.
While a departure order typically allows an individual to leave the country voluntarily without detention, forced deportation — reserved for more serious offenses — entails being held in a shelter to prevent escape before being sent back to their home country. The immigration office determines which action to take based on the severity of each case.
“Foreigners who are subject to a departure or deportation order due to illegal actions are typically prohibited from entering the country for a certain period, depending on the nature and severity of their offenses," the attorney added.
Entry bans typically last up to five years for those forcefully deported, but can be extended to 10 years or made permanent for more serious offenses. Foreign violators under a departure order often have their visa applications denied even after this period.
cjh@heraldcorp.com
