Overview
- Tournament officials said that at the Korea–Bangladesh men's hockey match on Friday the recorded North Korean national anthem was played instead of South Korea’s, causing visible confusion among Korean players.
- Organizers explained that anthem audio is normally supplied by each delegation and that a staff member may have selected the wrong file when cuing music at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Hockey Stadium.
- Korean media described the mistake as unacceptable and the Korean sports governing body has said it will confirm facts and file a formal protest with the Asia Games organizing committee.
- The error has become politically sensitive because a North Korean sports minister recently traveled to Japan to attend the Games and Japan maintains strict entry rules for North Korean passport holders.
- Officials from both sides are intensifying scrutiny of venue procedures and the handling of national symbols, and the outcome could prompt tighter checks on audio verification and staff protocols for opening ceremonies and match starts.