Olympic organisers have issued a “deep apology” after South Korean athletes were mistakenly introduced as North Koreans at the opening ceremony in Paris.
As the flag-waving team marched excitedly along the Seine River, both French and English announcers introduced them as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” – the official name of North Korea.
The name was then used – correctly – when the North Korean delegation passed through.
The two Koreas have been divided since the end of World War II, and tensions between the two countries have escalated recently.
However, the subtitles that run at the end of the TV broadcast show the correct title.
South Korea’s sports ministry said it plans to send a “strong complaint to France at the government level” over the embarrassing incident.
In a statement, the ministry expressed “regret over the announcement… where the South Korean delegation was introduced as a North Korean delegation”.
The statement also added that Second Vice Sports Minister Jang Mi-ran, the 2008 Olympic weightlifting champion, had requested a meeting with Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued an official apology. Korean X Account“We would like to deeply apologize for the mistake that occurred during the introduction of the Korean delegation during the opening ceremony,” said the statement.
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, has 143 athletes on this year’s Olympic team, competing in 21 sports.
North Korea sent 16 athletes. This is their first time competing since Rio 2016.
