NAGOYA: South Korean field hockey players were perplexed Friday when the national anthem of North Korea was played — instead of their own — before a men's field hockey match against Bangladesh at the Asian Games.
South Korean players looked on, unsure of how to respond. Many South Korean players stood at attention, some ran their hands through their hair, and some left their right hand over their heart as the music played.
Organizers quickly corrected the problem and played the correct anthem.
South Korea won the match 5-0. The Asian Games open officially on Saturday.
Some matches have been played before the official opening to accommodate a crowded schedule which features more than 11,000 athletes, more than the Summer Olympics.