South Korea wrongly portrayed as North Korea at Olympics

Olympic organisers have issued a “deep apology” after South Korean athletes were mistakenly identified as North Koreans at the opening ceremony in Paris.

As the enthusiastic, flag-waving team floated down the Seine, French and English announcers introduced them as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” – the official name of North Korea.

The same name was later used – rightly – when the North Korean delegation passed through.

The two Koreas have been divided since the end of World War II, and tensions between the states have escalated further recently.

The subtitle that appeared at the bottom of the TV show, however, indicated the correct title.

South Korea’s sports ministry said it plans to lodge a “strong complaint with France at the government level” over the embarrassing gaffe.

In a statement, the ministry expressed “regret over the announcement… where the South Korean delegation was introduced as the North Korean team.”

The statement added that Second Vice Sports Minister Jang Mi-ran, a 2008 Olympic weightlifting champion, requested a meeting with Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued an official apology X Account in Koreanstating: “We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the error that occurred during the introduction of the South Korean delegation at the opening ceremony.”

South Korea, formerly known as the Republic of Korea, has 143 athletes on its Olympic team this year, competing in 21 sports.

North Korea sent 16 athletes, its first time competing at the Games since Rio 2016.