Asian Games Organisers Apologise for Anthem Mistake

The organisers of the Asian Games in Japan issued an apology after the North Korean national anthem was erroneously played for South Korea’s men’s hockey team during a ceremony following their 5-0 victory over Bangladesh. The South Korean players were visibly confused when the incorrect anthem was played.

Following this, Bangladesh’s national anthem was played, and eventually, South Korea's correct anthem was broadcast. A stadium announcer later apologised for the mix-up.

South Korea's coach, Min Tae-seok, characterized the incident as a serious error, stating that when they protested, the organisers acknowledged the mistake was due to those responsible for playing the anthem. He emphasized that such an error should never occur.

This incident occurred amidst other complaints regarding the Games' preparations, including issues faced by South Korea's basketball team and delays experienced by some teams upon arrival in Japan.