Olympic organizers have issued a “deep apology” after South Korean athletes were mistakenly introduced as North Korean athletes at the opening ceremony in Paris.
As the excited, flag-waving procession drifted down the Seine, French and British announcers introduced them as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” – North Korea’s official name.
The same name was correctly used as the North Korean delegation passed by.
North and South Korea have been divided since the end of World War II, and tensions between the two countries have escalated recently.
However, the subtitle at the bottom of the TV broadcast shows the correct title.
South Korea’s sports ministry said it planned to lodge a “strong government-level complaint” with France over the embarrassing gaffe.
In a statement, the department said it “regrets the announcement that the South Korean delegation was introduced as the North Korean team.”
The statement added that Zhang Meilan, the second deputy minister of sports and 2008 Olympic weightlifting champion, had requested a meeting with Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially issued an apology statement Korean X account” and said: “We deeply apologize for the mistakes made when introducing the Korean delegation at the opening ceremony.
South Korea (formally known as the Republic of Korea) has 143 athletes competing in 21 sports on this year’s Olympic team.
North Korea sent 16 athletes. This is the first time they have participated in the Olympics since Rio 2016.
