Mark apologizes for wearing Confederate flag T-shirt after leaving NCT

Mark, a former member of K-pop group NCT, has apologized after photos of him wearing a T-shirt bearing a Confederate flag design sparked a racism controversy.

Upper Room, Mark's agency, said Wednesday it was "sincerely sorry for the discomfort and disappointment caused by the outfit Mark recently wore," adding that it "fully understands the gravity of the matter and is deeply reflecting on it."

The Confederate flag was the banner of the Confederate States of America, which fought to preserve slavery during the American Civil War. It is widely regarded as a symbol of racism, white supremacy and slavery. Because far-right white supremacist groups have continued to use the design since the war's end, some say it is the American equivalent of Japan's Rising Sun flag.

The controversy erupted after photos of Mark wearing the T-shirt spread online.

Upper Room said the item "was chosen purely as a vintage clothing piece." After becoming aware of the design's historical significance and sensitivity, the agency took steps to keep the shirt out of official content, but the image had already been shared externally, causing concern.

"Regardless of intent, we recognize that this matter should have been handled with greater care and sensitivity," the agency said, adding that "full responsibility for this lapse rests entirely with us."

Upper Room also pledged to strengthen its clothing selection and content review procedures to prevent similar incidents, and promised to "act with greater responsibility, awareness and caution going forward."

Mark, a Korean Canadian, left NCT in April after his contract with SM Entertainment expired. Earlier this month he established his own one-person agency, Upper Room, to pursue an independent career.

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