{
  "id": 8282330,
  "title": "Asian Games organisers apologise after playing North Korean anthem for South Korea",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/asian-games-organisers-apologise-after-playing-north-korean-anthem",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T18:22:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/asian-games-organisers-apologise-after-playing-north-korean-anthem-for-south-korea/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The organisers of the Asian Games in Japan have issued an apology after mistakenly playing North Korea's national anthem instead of South Korea's during a ceremony for the South Korean men's hockey team. This error occurred when South Korea defeated Bangladesh 5-0, and the players were left confused by the unexpected music. Following the North Korean anthem, Bangladesh's national anthem was played, before the correct South Korean anthem finally played. A stadium announcer later issued an apology for the mix-up. South Korean coach Min Tae-seok described the incident as a serious mistake, stating that only \"idiots\" would believe North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons. Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, commented that North Korea would never surrender its nuclear arsenal. The Asian Games are set to officially commence on Saturday. However, the games are facing other complaints, with some South Korean basketball players reporting issues such as a leaking pipe in their accommodation and water flooding their room. Additionally, some teams have arrived in Japan with delays, with some stranded at the airport for up to six hours. Field hockey matches began on Friday and will continue until October 3rd.",
  "summary": "Organisers of the Asian Games in Japan have apologised after mistakenly playing the North Korean national anthem for South Korea’s victorious hockey team. Read More: https://punchng.com/asian-games-organisers-apologise-after-playing-north-korean-anthem-for-south-korea/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Bellavest builds beauty bridge between South Korea and the UAE",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/bellavest-builds-beauty-bridge-between-south-korea-and-the-uae",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:18:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "North Korea’s national anthem played ahead of South Korea’s hockey match at Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/north-koreas-national-anthem-played-ahead-of-south-koreas-hockey",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:44:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Asian Games organisers apologise after playing North Korean anthem for South Korea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/asian-games-organisers-apologise-after-playing-north-korean-anthem-8283136",
        "published": "2026-09-18T18:26:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}