Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The flags of the 25 countries participating in the Olympic football tournaments - including both North and South Korea - are flown at Hampden Park this evening. EBU screengrab
London 2012

London 2012: North Korean women's footballers delay opener in flag dispute

The North Korean team reportedly refused to play in Hampden Park – because the South Korean flag was shown on screen.

Updated, 20:46

THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS don’t officially begin for another two days – but already the largest sporting event in the world has seen its first diplomatic dispute.

The North Korean women’s football team were due to play their opening group stage match against Colombia in Hampden Park in Glasgow this evening.

But the Koreans refused to take to the field until 8:25pm – in protest at a producers’ error which saw the South Korean flag displayed on the stadium’s big screen alongside the players’ names.

The match, which was due to begin at 7:45pm, was delayed while the Koreans refused to take to the field – with the match not kicking off until 8:50pm as a result.

The flag error will come as a blow to the Games’ organisers LOCOG, who had been keen to avoid any potential diplomatic standoffs between many of the participating countries with less-than-friendly histories – and who had insisted they would not make any errors with flags or anthems.

“Clearly that is a mistake,” a spokeswoman for LOCOG told AP this evening, referring to the incorrect flag.

“We will apologise to the team and the National Olympic Committee, and steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again.”

North and South Korea are still technically at war, having never agreed to a peace treaty when fighting in the Korean War ended in 1953.

Read: Is North Korean leader Kim Jong Un married?

Gallery: Ireland’s Olympic hopefuls arrive for London welcome

Your Voice
Readers Comments
55
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.