South Korea's sports ministry expressed regret on Saturday over a mistake during the Paris Olympics' opening ceremony where its athletes were incorrectly introduced as North Korean.
The incident occurred when the French-speaking presenter introduced the South Korean delegation using North Korea's official name "Republique populaire democratique de Coree," followed by the English translation "Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
The error has sparked displeasure in South Korea, which remains technically at war with North Korea since the Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty in 1953. South Korea is a global cultural and technological powerhouse that contrasts sharply with the nuclear-armed and impoverished North.
"South Korea's sports ministry expresses regret over the announcement during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the South Korean delegation was introduced as the North Korean team," the ministry was quoted as saying by AFP in a statement.
South Korea's second vice sports minister Jang Mi-ran, a 2008 Olympic weightlifting champion, has requested a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach to discuss the matter, the statement added.
The sports ministry has also sought help from the foreign ministry to "deliver a strong protest to the French side" regarding the issue.
1/10:Sharath Kamal, PV Sindhu lead Team India at dazzling Paris Olympics opening ceremony
AP
2/10:Proud moment for Sharath Kamal and Sindhu!!
<p>India's flag-bearers Achanta Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu wave as they travel with teammates down the Seine River during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.<br /></p>Reuters
3/10:Indian contingent
<p>Members of the Indian contingent on the boat during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.<br /></p>Reuters
4/10:Spirit of Olympics!
<p>Athletes of India and Iran aboard a boat in the floating parade on the river Seine during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.<br /></p>Reuters
5/10:Fans at their best!
<p>Indian fans cheer from a building as their athletes travel on a boat on the Seine River during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.<br /></p>Reuters
6/10:Traditional attire
<p>India's flag-bearers PV Sindhu and Achanta Sharath Kamal pose for a picture ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.<br /></p>ANI
7/10:Mysterious torchbearer!
<p>A torchbearer runs atop the Musee d'Orsay with the Notre-Dame-de-Paris cathedral in the background during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. <br /></p>Reuters
8/10:French flag
<p>Smoke resembling the flag of Team France is shown over Pont d’Austerlitz during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.<br /></p>Reuters
9/10:Indian athletes
<p>Indian athletes pose for a picture in the Games village ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.<br /></p>
10/10:Making memories!
<p>India's flag-bearers PV Sindhu and Achanta Sharath Kamal pose for a picture in the Games village ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.<br /></p>South Korea's National Olympic Committee plans to meet with the Paris Olympics Organising Committee and the IOC to voice their protest, request measures to prevent a recurrence, and send an official letter of protest under the head of its delegation's name, the sports ministry said.
During the same Olympic opening ceremony, North Korea, which entered as the 153rd nation, was correctly introduced with its official name.
