South Korea’s Olympic committee has filed a formal complaint with the Asian Games organisers in Nagoya after the North Korean national anthem was played before their opening hockey match against Bangladesh.
Japanese officials mistakenly played the wrong anthem inside the arena, leaving the squad bewildered.
The diplomatic blunder comes just a day before Saturday’s opening ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, where more than 10,000 athletes from 46 nations are set to take part in 43 sports across a competition running until October 4.
The moment echoes an embarrassing error at the Paris 2024 Olympics, when the South Korean delegation was incorrectly announced as representing North Korea during the opening ceremony.
Several players appeared visibly confused by the error, puffing out their cheeks in disbelief, although some continued to hold a hand against their chest as though nothing were amiss.
Once the mistake was identified, the North Korean anthem was stopped and replaced with the Bangladeshi anthem.
South Korea’s own anthem was then played somewhat awkwardly immediately before kick-off.
The stadium announcer was quick to apologise for the mistake, saying: “We are really sorry, terribly sorry.
The North Korean national anthem was played by mistake for South Korea at the Asian Games
|
BBCSPORT
“National anthem for the Republic of Korea, we played a different song. I’m really sorry.”
A Korean Sport and Olympic Committee official said: “We collected evidence, including video footage, to determine exactly what happened and ultimately confirmed North Korea’s national anthem was played.
“We plan to lodge a formal protest with the organising committee.”
The Korean peninsula has been split for over eight decades, following a war between 1950 and 1953 that left the border one of the most heavily militarised in the world.
South Korea’s Olympic committee has filed a formal complaint
|
GETTY
The International Olympic Committee issued an apology to the Seoul delegation after the Paris incident two years ago, but a repeat mix-up will raise fresh concerns about organisational standards at major sporting events.
The anthem error is not an isolated issue in Nagoya either, with athletes already voicing complaints over transport arrangements and accommodation at the Games.
Despite the pre-match disruption, the South Korean hockey team showed no signs of being rattled on the pitch, dispatching Bangladesh 5-0 in a commanding opening performance.
Last May saw North Korean footballers make sporting history by travelling across the border into South Korea
|
GETTYBack in May, North Korean footballers made sporting history by travelling across the border into South Korea and securing a place in the Asian Women’s Champions League final.
Naegohyang claimed a 2-1 victory over South Korean side Suwon, setting off incredible celebrations at the final whistle.
The fixture was the first time athletes travelled from the North to enter the South since the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
That occasion saw the two nations field a joint ice hockey squad for the first time in history.