**North Korean Anthem Mistakenly Played for South Korea at Asian Games**
*Published: 18 September 2026*
In a surprising and controversial incident at the Asian Games in Japan, the North Korean national anthem was mistakenly played for the South Korean men's hockey team during their match against Bangladesh. The blunder occurred as South Korea celebrated a decisive 5-0 victory over their opponents, leaving players and spectators confused.
The error was acknowledged by the event organizers, who issued an apology following the incident. According to reports from South Korea's Yonhap news agency, the North Korean anthem was played before Bangladesh's national anthem was subsequently heard, followed by the correct anthem for South Korea.
South Korea's head coach, Min Tae-seok, expressed his dismay at the incident, emphasizing the seriousness of the mistake. "This is a really serious problem," he stated. "When we protested, they said, 'We're sorry. It wasn't that it wasn't prepared; there was a mistake on the part of those responsible for playing it.' But this is something that simply should never happen."
The playing of North Korea's anthem is particularly sensitive in South Korea, where it, along with other symbols associated with the North, is banned due to the ongoing tensions between the two nations. The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war, as the 1950-1953 conflict ended without a formal peace treaty.
The Asian Games, which officially commenced on Saturday, have already faced criticism from various teams regarding the quality of accommodations. Reports surfaced of athletes encountering issues such as leaking pipes in their lodgings, with one member of the South Korean basketball team sharing a video of a soaked floor and pleading for assistance. Additionally, some teams experienced significant delays upon arrival, with reports of athletes being stranded at the airport for up to six hours.
Field hockey events at the Asian Games began on Friday and are scheduled to continue until October 3. The tournament is expected to draw significant attention, not only for the athletic competition but also for the logistical challenges faced by participating teams.
As the games progress, it remains to be seen how organizers will address the concerns raised by athletes and teams, particularly in light of the recent anthem incident that has sparked discussions about the sensitivities surrounding North and South Korean relations.