Nagoya Asian Games Apologises After Wrong Korean Anthem
Crhk · 5 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Nagoya Asian Games organisers have formally apologised to South Korea’s sports delegation after the wrong Korean anthem was played before a men’s hockey Group A match against Bangladesh on September 18. The ceremony was interrupted when North Korea’s anthem was played in place of South Korea’s, leaving South Korean players visibly confused before officials stopped the music and later replayed the correct anthem. South Korea still beat Bangladesh 5-0, but the team and delegation objected to the way the ceremony was handled, including the anthem sequence and the rushed start to the match. South Korea’s delegation has lodged a protest and asked organisers to explain the incident, apologise formally and prevent a repeat.
Key Points
- The incident happened before the men’s hockey Group A match between South Korea and Bangladesh in Nagoya, held on September 18, with local reports saying the game was scheduled for 11am.
- When South Korea’s anthem was announced, organisers instead played North Korea’s anthem, prompting South Korean players to look startled, lower their hands and alert venue staff.
- Officials stopped the music, then played Bangladesh’s anthem first; the correct South Korean anthem was only replayed later, after confusion during the pre-match handshake sequence.
- According to reports, the referee told players to exchange greetings before South Korea’s anthem had finished, so the South Korean side began the match without completing the anthem ceremony.
- Organisers and the stadium announcer apologised, described the problem as human error in anthem playback, and two organising committee officials later visited the South Korean delegation office to express regret.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers following major multi-sport events in Asia, the episode shows how a basic ceremonial mistake can quickly become a diplomatic and organisational issue when national symbols are involved. It also adds to scrutiny of Nagoya Asian Games operations after fresh complaints about event arrangements, raising questions about whether organisers can manage protocol smoothly under pressure