PARIS — In a significant blunder during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, the South Korean delegation was mistakenly introduced as North Korea, causing immediate confusion and prompting an emergency response from South Korea's national Olympic committee.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the error occurred as nations paraded down the Seine River on boats, a novel approach for an Olympic opening ceremony held outside a stadium. The South Korean team, officially entered as "Republique de Coree," was incorrectly announced both in French and English as the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea," North Korea's official designation. The correct name, "Republic of Korea," was displayed on the subtitles used on the broadcast feed and giant screens along the parade route.
The KSOC, upon noticing the mistake, quickly convened an emergency meeting in Paris to determine the appropriate course of action. The incident was also promptly reported to South Korea's sports ministry. The committee is now considering its response to address the error witnessed by the global audience and tens of thousands along the Seine.