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North Korea anthem mistakenly played for South Korea at Asian Games

Bbc • September 18, 2026

Asian Games organisers were left embarrassed after the North Korean national anthem was played for South Korea's men's hockey team before their opening group match against Bangladesh.

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North Korean Anthem Mistakenly Played at South Korean Hockey Match During the Asian Games in Japan, the North Korean national anthem was mistakenly played before a men's field hockey match featuring South Korea against Bangladesh. The South Korean players were visibly confused as the anthem played, prompting an apology from the stadium announcer. The organizing committee later corrected the mistake by playing Bangladesh's anthem followed by South Korea's. Despite the mix-up, South Korea won the match 5-0. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the two Koreas, as North Korea's anthem is banned in the South due to the unresolved Korean War. South Korea has also raised concerns about various organizational issues at the Asian Games, including accommodation problems for athletes. 4 sources 30

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Bangladesh North Korea South Korea