Wrong Korean anthem played at Asiad match

CEREMONY GLITCH A North Korean official wears the national flag during a ceremony for the Asiad in Nagoya, Japan, on Friday. —AP

NAGOYA, JAPAN—South Korean field hockey players were perplexed on 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 which opened on Saturday.

South Korean players looked on, unsure of how to respond. But many of them stood at attention, some ran their hands through their hair, and others left their right hand over their heart as the music played.

Asiad organizers quickly corrected the problem and played the correct anthem.

Some matches have been played before the official opening to accommodate a crowded schedule featuring, for example, more than 11,000 athletes—more than the Summer Olympics.

South Korea won the match 5-0.