'Disappointing' as South Korean Flag Mishap Sees Games End on Sour Note
Ceremonial officials struggled to raise South Korea’s flag, and it was not properly unfurled until after the national anthem ended, officials said.
- On Saturday, South Korea won a fourth consecutive men's football title with a 1-0 victory over Japan at Toyota Stadium near Nagoya, but the ceremony was marred when officials struggled to raise the South Korean flag, sparking boos from fans.
- Captain Lee Gi-hyuk called the incident "disappointing," explaining that the flag remained stuck until after the national anthem ended despite the team's hard work to reach the ceremony.
- This flag malfunction follows previous organizational mishaps at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, including a mix-up where organizers played the North Korean national anthem for a South Korean hockey team.
- South Korean Olympic officials have been outspoken in their criticism of the Games, citing ongoing organizational issues with transportation and accommodation throughout the event.
- Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, expressed severe frustration, stating, "If I were to give them a grade, it would be an F.
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18 Articles
‘Disappointing’ South Korea flag mishap sees Asian Games 2026 end on sour note
Footage of the victory ceremony afterwards showed ceremonial officials struggling to raise South Korea’s flag on the flagpole after its win in the football final, sparking boos from Korean fans.
Radio France Internationale
'Disappointing' as South Korea flag mishap sees Games end on sour note
Eom Ji-sung scored the only goal as South Korea won a fourth straight title with a 1-0 victory over Japan in the final at Toyota Stadium near Nagoya on Saturday evening. However, footage of the victory ceremony afterwards showed ceremonial officials struggling to raise South Korea's flag on the flagpole, sparking boos from Korean fans. "I believe an awards ceremony should be an occasion for celebration," said captain Lee Gi-hyuk, according to Yo…
An incident occurred on the 3rd at the awards ceremony stage of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where the South Korean flag was not properly hoisted. The ceremony proceeded immediately after the final match between South Korea and Japan (South Korea won 1-0), and athletes from the three countries—South Korea, China, and Japan—lined up across from the main stand to receive their medals and flag…
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