Organisers of the Asian Games in Japan have issued an apology after mistakenly playing North Korea’s national anthem during the South Korean men’s hockey team’s medal ceremony. The error occurred despite the two nations being political rivals and competitors in the event. The mix-up highlights the sensitivity surrounding national anthems in international sports, where such symbols carry deep political significance. Details on how the mistake happened remain unclear, but the apology underscores the need for precision in high-profile sporting occasions.
Organisers have apologised for playing the North Korean national anthem for the South Korean men's hockey team at the Asian Games in Japan.
