Olympics organizers introduce South Korea as North Korea in 'regrettable' gaffe

Olympic organizers have issued a 'deep apology' after South Korean athletes were wrongly introduced as North Korean at the opening ceremony in Paris.

Athletes from each participating country braved the adverse weather conditions on Friday and floated down the River Seine in what was a spectacular ceremony. But there as controversy over the South Korean team.

As the athletes waved their flags to the crowd, both French and English announcers introduced them as the 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea'. That is the official name of North Korea, with the term then used again for their delegation moments later, this time correctly.

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The South Korean sports ministry vowed to lodge a 'strong complaint' to the French government. Former weightlifting champion Jang Mi-ran, who is now part of the set-up, is also said to have demanded a meeting with Olympic president Thomas Bach.

"We express regret that the country was introduced as North Korea at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games when the athletes of the Republic of Korea were entering," a statement said.

The two nations have been divided since the end of World War II and there remains tensions. A sincere apology was later issued by Olympics organizers.

A statement from the IOC read: "We would like to offer a deep apology over the mistake that occurred in the introduction of the South Korean delegation during the opening ceremony."

Spokesperson Mark Adams added in a news conference on Saturday: "A regrettable operational mistake was made. We can only apologize, in an evening of so many moving parts. that this mistake was made."

North Korea is competing in its first Games since 2016 after missing the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021 due to Covid-19 concerns. South Korea meanwhile has sent 143 athletes to compete in Paris this summer.

Their prospects of medals are believed to be high with many tipping South Korea to beat its medal tally from the previous Olympics in Tokyo.