Bungling Asian Games chiefs play North Korean anthem for South Korea

Asian Games organisers mistakenly played the North Korean national anthem ahead of a men's hockey match between Bangladesh and South Korea.

In this image made from video, South Korean men's field hockey players react as the North Korean national anthem is played ahead of their game against Bangladesh at the Asian Games in Kakamigahara city, Gifu prefecture, Japan, Friday, Sep 18, 2026. (Photo: OCA/SNTV via AP)

NAGOYA: Asian Games organisers played the North Korean national anthem for the South Korean men's hockey team on Friday (Sep 18), later apologising for the blunder.

South Korean officials were left angered by the latest mishap to hit the Games ahead of Saturday's opening ceremony in Nagoya.

South Korea thrashed Bangladesh 5-0, but beforehand, instead of their national anthem, the song belonging to North Korea rang out.