Asiad Shocker: N Korea Anthem Played for S Korea

In a shocking mistake, the North Korean national anthem was played for South Korea before a match at the Asian Games, sparking an investigation by South Korean officials. The error occurred before a football match where South Korea thrashed Bangladesh 5-0.

The incident took place before the opening ceremony in Nagoya, where organisers played the North Korean anthem instead of the South Korean one. The players from South Korea looked at each other in confusion as the wrong anthem was played. To rectify the situation, organisers then played Bangladesh's anthem, followed by the South Korean anthem later.

South Korea's Olympic committee has launched an investigation into the incident, with an official stating that they are trying to find out what happened. The official told AFP that they are currently looking into the matter to verify the exact facts.

The build-up to the Games has been marred by complaints from teams about the quality and amount of accommodation. Additionally, some teams were stranded at the airport for up to six hours when they landed this week, adding to the chaos.

## What it means The mistake has significant implications, as it highlights the importance of attention to detail in international sporting events. The Asian Games bring together teams from across the continent, and such errors can have diplomatic and cultural repercussions. The investigation by the South Korean Olympic committee aims to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure a smooth conduct of the Games.

## Why it matters The incident is not an isolated one, as the build-up to the Games has been overshadowed by complaints from teams about accommodation. The Asian Games are a prestigious international event, and such mistakes can tarnish the reputation of the organisers. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for meticulous planning and execution in large-scale events, where cultural and national sensitivities are involved.