At the Opening Ceremony, the Korean Team Appears as "Bukhan"... Unprecedented Bizarre Incident [Paris Olympics]

Announcer in the venue announces 'Bukhan' in both French and English
Emergency meeting of the Sports Council due to unprecedented incident
Vice Minister Jang Miran and Sports Council President Lee Kiheung to make a statement on the 27th

"Democratic People’s Republic of Korea!"

An absurd incident occurred at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the Republic of Korea was introduced as North Korea.

The South Korean athletes enter the opening ceremony venue with smiles despite the rain. On the 26th (local time), during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, the South Korean athletes, having completed the boat parade along the Seine River in Paris, France, are entering the opening ceremony venue set up at Trocad?ro Square. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Korean delegation appeared 48th in order at the opening ceremony of the '2024 Paris Olympics' held on the Seine River in Paris, France, on the 27th (Korean time).

For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony was held outdoors, and the athletes appeared riding boats. The order of entry for the ceremony was determined alphabetically according to the French spelling of each country. Greece, the host of the first modern Olympic Games, entered first, followed by the Refugee Team in second place.

Korea, spelled 'Cor?e' in French, entered relatively early as the 48th among 204 countries. As about 50 Korean athletes entered, led by male flag bearer Woo Sang-hyeok (athletics) and female flag bearer Kim Seo-young (swimming) carrying a large Taegeukgi, the male and female announcers at the venue mistakenly announced our country as Republique populaire democratique de coree in French and Democratic People's Republic of Korea in English, which refer to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea, spelled 'Nord Cor?e' in French, appeared 153rd. Unlike the mistake made during the Korean delegation’s entrance, the announcers accurately introduced North Korea as 'Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.' As a result, North Korea was announced twice, and Korea was not introduced at all.

Regarding the absurd mistake by the organizers, the Korea Sports Council stated, "We could not hear the broadcast on site and confirmed the situation belatedly," adding, "Since this has been reported to the athletes and the relevant government ministry, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it seems necessary to formally raise objections or file a protest."

Jang Mi-ran, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Lee Ki-heung, President of the Korea Sports Council, are scheduled to announce their position and response measures regarding this incident at the Main Press Center (MPC) on the 27th.