IOC apologises for South Korea gaffe in Olympics opening ceremony

The International Olympic Committee issued an apology on Saturday for an error that took place during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. South Korean athletes were mistakenly introduced as North Korean during the event.

The IOC expressed regret for the mistake made during the broadcast of the opening ceremony when the South Korean team was introduced incorrectly.

This error caused dissatisfaction in South Korea, a country known for its cultural and technological advancements, which is still technically at war with North Korea.

The South Korean sports ministry also expressed regret over the incident during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, where the South Korean delegation was mistakenly introduced as the North Korean team.

Second Deputy Minister of Sports Jang Mi-ran, a champion in weightlifting at the 2008 Olympics, has requested a meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach to address the issue, as stated.

The sports ministry has also urged the foreign ministry to express a strong objection to the French side regarding the matter, according to the statement.

The National Olympic Committee of South Korea intends to hold discussions with the Paris Olympics Organising Committee and the IOC to articulate their objection, call for preventive measures, and submit an official letter of protest under the delegation head's name, the sports ministry announced.

North Korea was appropriately referred to by its official name.

Relations between the two Koreas are currently strained, with the North enhancing military cooperation with Russia and launching thousands of balloons carrying trash towards the South.

In retaliation, Seoul's military broadcasts K-pop music and anti-regime messages through border loudspeakers and has recently resumed live-fire exercises on border islands and near the demilitarised zone that separates the Korean peninsula.