PARIS — International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is scheduled to apologize to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following a major blunder during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics where the South Korean delegation was mistakenly introduced as North Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the error occurred when the South Korean athletes were introduced during the parade of nations. The French announcer mistakenly referred to the delegation using North Korea's official title in both French and English. The incident, which unfolded as the teams floated down the Seine River, was met with immediate backlash and demands for a formal apology, which the IOC plans to deliver both verbally and in writing.
During a press briefing, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams expressed deep regret over the mistake, describing it as an operational error in an event with many moving parts. Lee Kee-heung, head of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, emphasized the seriousness with which the IOC is treating the gaffe, citing past errors with the South Korean flag as indicative of the need for greater attention to detail in international representations.
Further discussions between South Korean officials and IOC leadership, including a meeting with Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, are scheduled to ensure such mistakes are not repeated. The focus remains on supporting the athletes and preventing the administrative oversight from impacting their performance at the games.