Asian Games officials apologise after playing North Korean anthem for South Korea

Officials played wrong anthem

South Korean players stood confused while the incorrect song rang out during their pre-match lineup. Organisers subsequently broadcast Bangladesh's anthem before finally playing the correct South Korean version. A stadium announcer issued an apology for the error after the match concluded.

Coach calls mistake serious

South Korea coach Min Tae-seok stated that such an incident should never happen during a major event. He noted that officials admitted the issue was a mistake by those responsible rather than a lack of preparation. South Korean officials are currently investigating the exact facts surrounding the incident.

Broader accommodation complaints

The Games have faced additional criticism regarding poor quality and insufficient accommodation for participating teams. Some athletes were stranded at the airport for up to six hours upon arrival this week. A basketball player shared a video showing a leaking pipe and a soaked floor in his room.