IOC SORRY FOR KOREA MIX-UP AT CEREMONY

South's delegation were mistakenly called DPRK during Olympics opener on Seine

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) apologised on July 27 for a gaffe during the opening ceremony of the Paris Games, in which South Korean athletes were incorrectly introduced as North Koreans.

As the South Korean delegation sailed down the River Seine, they were introduced with the official name for North Korea: "Republique populaire democratique de Coree" in French, then "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" in English.

"We deeply apologise for the mistake that occurred when introducing the South Korean team during the broadcast of the opening ceremony," the IOC said on X.

The error sparked displeased reactions in South Korea, a nation that is technically still at war with the nuclear-armed and impoverished North.

South Korea's sports ministry had said in a statement that it is unhappy over the incident.

"We express regret that the country was introduced as North Korea at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games when the athletes of the Republic of Korea were entering," it said.