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South Korea are trying to arrange for a meeting with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. At the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 yesterday (July 26), South Korea, who are formally known as the Republic of Korea, were introduced as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is actually the formal name of North Korea.
South Korea are notably one of the most successful nations at the Olympics with a total of 287 medals, with most of the gold medals coming in archery, a sport which is certainly their strong point.
Following the incident, the International Olympic Committee were forced to issue a deep apology on their X account. The post read:
"We would like to offer a deep apology over the mistake that occurred in the introduction of the South Korean delegation during the opening ceremony.”
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Mark Adams who is the spokesperson of IOC highlighted the announcement as an "operational mistake" made in an "evening of so many moving parts" and that is was "clearly deeply regrettable".
Situation worsens as South Korea aim official protest
The situation has now even worsened as South Korea's Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism have expressed their disappointment and Vice Minister Jang Mi Ran has requested a meeting with Thomas Bach. He has also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey a strong protest to their French counterparts at the government level.
Moreover, the Korean Olympic Committee and Korea Sports Federation have come in touch with the organizing committee in hopes of preventing misinterpretation of Korean athletes. They will also share an official letter of protest.
A similar incident took place at the London Games 2012 when a flag of North Korea was displayed alongside the South Korean women's team ahead of the football match. At that time, the organizers labeled it as "human error".
Post 2016, this is the first time North Korea are participating in the Summer Games. They have sent 16 athletes compared to the 143 sent by South Korea.
