South Korea Protests Paris Olympics Mishap

South Korea expressed regret after its athletes were mistakenly introduced as from North Korea during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. South Korea's vice minister for sports and culture has demanded assurances from the International Olympics Committee to prevent future mistakes. The IOC apologized for the error.

South Korea expressed regret on Friday after its delegation of athletes at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony was mistakenly introduced as from North Korea and has demanded assurances from organizers that the mistake will not happen again.

During the boat parade on the Seine carrying South Korean athletes, the announcer identified them as the 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea,' North Korea's official name, in both French and English. The same introduction was later used for North Korea's delegation.

South Korea's vice minister for sports and culture, Jang Mi-ran, who was in Paris, requested a meeting with International Olympics Committee President Thomas Bach, according to a statement from the ministry. 'We express regret that the country was introduced as North Korea at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games when the athletes of the Republic of Korea were entering,' the statement said.

The National Olympic Committee of South Korea promptly referred the incident to the Games' organizers, demanding the error not be repeated. The IOC acknowledged the mistake and offered 'a deep apology' on its Korean language handle on X.

South Korea's delegation for the Games includes 143 athletes competing in 21 events. Meanwhile, North Korea, appearing at the Games for the first time since Rio 2016, sent 16 athletes.

(With inputs from agencies.)