Asiad shocker: N Korean anthem played for S Korea

On Friday, during the Asian Games in Nagoya, the organisers unintentionally played the North Korean national anthem in place of the South Korean team's anthem. This unexpected mistake left South Korean officials feeling angered and frustrated, as it occurred just before the opening ceremony on Saturday. South Korea defeated Bangladesh 5-0 in their opening match, yet the South Korean players were left puzzled when they heard the unfamiliar North Korean tune instead of their own national anthem.

Organisers quickly rectified the error by playing Bangladesh's anthem and then the South Korean anthem. However, the referee required both teams to shake hands and prepare for the match before the anthem concluded. Stadium announcer Min Tae-seok, who coached the South Korean team, expressed deep dissatisfaction, stating that such a serious problem should never occur.

The South Korean Olympic committee was investigating the incident to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the blunder. Meanwhile, concerns about the quality and quantity of accommodations for athletes have dominated discussions leading up to the Games. Some teams faced difficulties, including being stranded at the airport for up to six hours upon their arrival.