Olympic organisers have issued a sincere apology following a serious error that occurred during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday. South Korean athletes were mistakenly introduced as North Koreans, which naturally led to a moment of confusion and embarrassment.
During the eagerly awaited opening ceremony, the South Korean team, adorned with flags and full of enthusiasm, sailed down the River Seine. To the dismay of many, the French and English announcers referred to them as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” which is the official name for North Korea, the BBC reported. This error was compounded when the North Korean delegation itself later passed by and used the same name, this time correctly, during their introduction.
Although the TV broadcast’s subtitle identified them correctly, the announcers’ verbal introduction caused confusion. The confusion has been particularly acute given the long-standing divide between North and South Korea, a separation that dates back to the end of World War II. Tensions between the two nations have escalated in recent years, making accurate representation at international events even more crucial.
Following the blunder, organizers are working diligently to address the situation and prevent similar incidents from occurring. South Korea Sports
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has apologized for the error on its official Korean-language X account, acknowledging the mistake and offering a “deep apology” for the confusion caused during the ceremony.
