NAGOYA, Japan — An embarrassing anthem mix-up disrupted the opening moments of South Korea’s men’s field hockey campaign at the 2026 Asian Games on Friday after organizers mistakenly played North Korea’s national anthem instead of South Korea’s.
The incident happened before South Korea’s Pool A match against Bangladesh at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Gifu, about 30 kilometers north of Nagoya.
South Korean players had lined up for the playing of their national anthem when music associated with North Korea suddenly began playing. Several players appeared confused, with some looking around and others lowering their hands from their chests as they realized something was wrong.
The stadium announcer subsequently apologized, acknowledging that the wrong national anthem had been played.
Organizers then played Bangladesh’s national anthem, followed by South Korea’s anthem, the Aegukga. However, the correction created another awkward moment because the match schedule had already been delayed.
According to Yonhap, the referee instructed the players to exchange greetings and prepare for the match while South Korea’s anthem was still being played, meaning the Korean team could not complete the anthem ceremony in the usual manner.
South Korean head coach Min Tae-seok expressed his frustration over the incident.
“I can’t believe something like this happened at an international competition,” Min said, according to Yonhap.
CNA reported that Min described the mistake as something that “simply should never happen,” while South Korean officials said they were checking the circumstances surrounding the error.
A South Korean Olympic committee official also said the organization was gathering evidence, including video footage, to establish exactly what happened and indicated that a formal protest could be lodged with the Asian Games organizing committee.
Despite the chaotic start, South Korea quickly shifted the focus back to the competition.
The South Koreans defeated Bangladesh 5-0, with Sim Jae-won, Lee Gang-san, Oh Se-yong, Bae Soung-min and Yang Ji-hun each scoring once. South Korea scored three goals in the second quarter before adding another goal in each of the final two quarters.
The women’s South Korean field hockey team also opened its campaign with a victory, defeating Chinese Taipei 3-1 at the same venue.
The anthem error is the latest organizational issue to attract attention around the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games even before the official opening ceremony on September 19. Reports have also highlighted complaints involving accommodation and transportation, including lengthy airport delays affecting some arriving teams.
The incident carries particular sensitivity because relations between North and South Korea remain politically and technically unresolved. The Korean War ended with an armistice in 1953 rather than a formal peace treaty, and South Korea has restrictions on North Korean symbols under its national security laws.
For South Korea’s hockey players, however, the most important response came on the field.
After an unusually awkward anthem ceremony, they delivered a decisive 5-0 victory over Bangladesh to begin their Asian Games campaign.
South Korea’s men are scheduled to face Indonesia on September 22 in their next Pool A match.
