CBC, Canadian Public Broadcaster, Introduces Korean Athletes as Chinese During Olympic Coverage

Professor Seo Kyungduk: "A Serious Wrongdoing...A Public Apology Is Needed"

The Canadian public broadcaster CBC has sparked controversy after repeatedly introducing Korean athletes as Chinese athletes during its broadcast of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Seo Kyungduk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, stated on his social media (SNS) on the 15th, "They referred to Korean athletes competing in various events such as short track and speed skating as Chinese athletes," adding, "I immediately sent a protest email to CBC."

In the email, he wrote, "You might be able to dismiss it as a mistake once," but added, "It is a serious wrongdoing to keep introducing Korean athletes as Chinese athletes, first in the women's short track and then in the men's speed skating." He went on to say, "It is disrespectful to the Korean delegation and an insult to Canadian viewers," stressing, "They must correct it quickly and issue a public apology."

In the problematic footage, the Canadian commentators can be heard introducing a Korean athlete as a Chinese athlete when the Korean athlete appears.

Professor Seo added, "A few months ago, the official social media account of TSN, one of Canada's major sports channels, caused an uproar by posting a taekwondo video and describing it as a Japanese 'ninja'," and emphasized, "I ask for monitoring and reports so that we can correct these ongoing errors in Canadian broadcasts."