North Korean anthem mistakenly played for South Korea at Asian Games
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Neutral summary
Organizers of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games formally apologized to the South Korean delegation after North Korea's national anthem was mistakenly played before a men's hockey match between South Korea and Bangladesh. South Korean players, who had lined up to hear their anthem, looked at each other in bewilderment, and the stadium announcer immediately apologized, but the referee ordered the teams to shake hands while the anthem was still playing due to the delayed start. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee filed a formal complaint, and two organizing committee officials, including the director in charge of participating nations, visited the South Korean delegation's office to deliver an official apology. South Korea went on to win the match 5-0.
How it was framed
Outlets: 13. Countries: 8. Facts in the shared core: 4.
Publication timeline
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Ouest-France (outlet profile)
Un grave incident diplomatique aux Jeux asiatiques : l’hymne national nord-coréen diffusé pour la Corée du Sud. Les organisateurs japonais des Jeux asiatiques se sont rendus coupables d’une grosse bévue. Alors le confit…
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Al Jazeera (outlet profile)
North Korea anthem played at South’s Bangladesh hockey match at Asian Games. Asian Games organisers in Japan accidently play North Korea's anthem ahead of South's hockey match with Bangladesh.
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www.rbc.ru (outlet profile)
На Азиатских играх перед матчем Южной Кореи случайно включили гимн КНДР. Инцидент произошел перед матчем сборной Южной Кореи по хоккею на траве против Бангладеш. Диктор стадиона сразу принес извинения, но из-за задержки…
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Inquirer.net (outlet profile)
North Korean anthem played for South Korea at Asian Games hockey match. NAGOYA–Asian Games organizers played the North Korean national anthem for the South Korean men’s hockey team on Friday, later apologizing for…
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M24.ru (outlet profile)
Гимн КНДР случайно включили перед матчем сборной Южной Кореи на Азиатских играх. Инцидент произошел перед матчем против команды Бангладеш
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Lenta.ru (outlet profile)
На Азиатских играх включили гимн КНДР вместо гимна Южной Кореи
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BFMTV (outlet profile)
Jeux asiatiques: l'hymne nord-coréen joué par erreur avant un match de la Corée du Sud. Avant la rencontre de hockey sur gazon opposant la Corée du Sud au Bangladesh à Gifu, l'organisation a accidentellement diffusé l'h…
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GB News (outlet profile)
North Korean national anthem played for South Korea at Asian Games in embarrassing moment. South Korea's Olympic committee has filed a formal complaint with the Asian Games organisers in Nagoya after the North Korean na…
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BBC News (outlet profile)
North Korean anthem played for South Korea at Asian Games. Organisers have apologised for playing the North Korean national anthem for the South Korean men's hockey team at the Asian Games in Japan.
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Tanjug (outlet profile)
Greškom intonirana himna Severne Koreje pred meč Južne Koreje na Azijskim igrama
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Yonhap News Agency (English) (outlet profile)
(Asiad) Organizing committee apologizes for playing N. Korean anthem at S. Korean hockey match. NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- The organizing committee of the Aichi-Nagoya...
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Sydney Morning Herald (outlet profile)
Players left confused as wrong anthem plays. South Korean players are left puzzled as the North Korea anthem plays before their match.
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The Korea Herald (outlet profile)
Wrong Korea, wrong anthem: Asian Games organizers apologize to S. Korea. Organizers of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games formally apologized to the South Korean delegation after North Korea’s national anthem was mistake…
Factual core
- At the Asian Games, the North Korean anthem was mistakenly played before a South Korean hockey match.
- The anthem was played in error, causing confusion or embarrassment.
- The mistake caused indignation among South Koreans.
- The incident occurred during a medal ceremony at the Asian Games.