The Paris Olympic opening ceremony at the Seine River on Friday encountered a significant blunder that sparked a major controversy and embarrassed the local organising committee. The error, involving the misidentification of the South Korean and North Korean delegations during the Athletes' Parade, has prompted apologies from French officials and calls for further action.
During the event, as the South Korean team made their way down the River Seine, and the announcers mistakenly introduced them as the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the official name for North Korea.
Here is the video:
This verbal slip-up, broadcast in both French and English, created confusion and outrage. To add to the embarrassment, when the North Korean delegation appeared, they were introduced as "South Korea."
The error was especially sensitive given the strained relations between the two Korean countries, which have been divided since the end of World War II. Despite the correct subtitles being displayed on the television broadcast, the verbal misidentification overshadowed the moment, leading to significant diplomatic and public relations repercussions for France.
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The Olympic committee apologise!
In response to the mistake, South Korea's sports ministry announced its intention to file a formal complaint with the French government. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their regret over the incident, acknowledging the seriousness of the error.
Jang Mi-ran, South Korea's vice sports minister and a 2008 Olympic weightlifting champion, has sought a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach to discuss the issue further.
The IOC also issued an apology on its official X account, expressing deep regret for the mix-up. The incident has highlighted the importance of accuracy and sensitivity during such high-profile international events, where even minor mistakes can have significant diplomatic implications.
The South Korean delegation, officially representing the Republic of Korea, consisted of 143 athletes competing across 21 sports. North Korea, participating in the Olympics for the first time since 2016, sent a smaller delegation of 16 athletes. The mix-up during the opening ceremony overshadowed their participation and diverted attention from the athletes' preparations and aspirations.
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