PARIS, July 27 – The South Korean sports ministry said Saturday it is seeking a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach over a gaffe during the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics in which South Korea was incorrectly introduced as North Korea during the parade of athletes, Yonhap news agency reported.
In a statement, the ministry said Jang Mi-ran, the second vice minister of sports who attended the ceremony in the French capital Friday, has asked the IOC to arrange a meeting with Bach over the incident, and asked the country’s chef de mission, or the top delegate, Jeong Gang-sun, to demand a quick response from the IOC and the local organising committee.
When the South Korean delegation rode a boat on the Seine River and came into the spotlight as the 48th nation, the French-speaking announcer said through the PA system, “Republique populaire democratique de Coree,” followed by the English announcement, “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” which is the official English designation of North Korea.
The subtitle on the broadcast feed, shown on giant screens along the Seine and on television for international viewers, correctly showed “Republic of Korea” in English.
