Operational blunders at Asian Games disrupt Korean team

Japan's organization of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is drawing criticism over a string of missteps, from playing the wrong national anthem to poor housing conditions and repeated transportation failures. Last Friday, North Korea's national anthem was mistakenly played instead of South Korea's before a men's field hockey Pool A match between South Korea and Bangladesh at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara. The South Korean delegation demanded an explanation and sent an official letter of protest to the organizing committee. "The national anthem, a symbol of the country, should never be played incorrectly at an international multi-sport event, and we view this matter with utmost seriousness," Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) President Ryu Seung-min said. "We will do our best to protect our athletes so they can focus on competition without being affected by issues outside the games. We will also continue to demand that the organizing committee investigate the cause and take steps to prevent a recurrence." The KSOC said Saturday that two organizing committee officials visi