South Korean Athletes Mistakenly Introduced as North Koreans at Paris Olympics

In a surprising mix-up at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, South Korean athletes were mistakenly introduced as their North Korean counterparts. The error occurred when the announcer referred to them using North Korea‘s official name, the ‘Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,’ which understandably upset many in South Korea.

South Korea’s sports ministry expressed its regret, making it clear how disappointed they were with this mistake. The mistake has raised tensions, especially since South Korea and North Korea have a complicated and ongoing rivalry, having been technically at war since the 1950s.

During the float parade on the River Seine, the South Korean team was waving their flags in excitement, only to have their identities confused when the same name was later correctly used for North Korea’s athletes. This blunder didn’t sit well with South Korean officials, who have taken steps to address the error.

Jang Mi-ran, the second vice sports minister and an Olympic weightlifting champion from 2008, has requested to meet with Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to discuss the matter further. The sports ministry is even working with the foreign ministry to lodge a formal complaint with the French government regarding the issue.

The International Olympic Committee also acknowledged the mistake, issuing a heartfelt apology for the mix-up during the grand event. Both South Korea and North Korea sent their athletes to compete in various sports, illustrating the stark contrast between the two nations, especially in such a prestigious setting.