NKorean member wants steps to avoid flag mix-ups

NKorean member wants steps to avoid flag mix-ups

Credit: Getty Images

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 25: An official of DPR Korea gestures to the national flag as it is displayed wrongly causing a delay to the kick off during the Women's Football first round Group G Match of the London 2012 Olympic Games between Colombia and Korea DPR, at Hampden Park on July 25, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

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Associated Press

Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:50 AM

LONDON (AP) — North Korea's IOC member wants Olympic organizers to take steps to ensure there is not another mix-up of national flags.

Chang Ung expressed his disappointment after the South Korean flag was mistakenly displayed on the giant screen before the women's soccer game between North Korea and Colombia in Glasgow, Scotland, on Wednesday night.

The North Koreans refused to take the field for about an hour before the match went ahead. London organizers have apologized.

Chang raised the matter at the IOC general assembly, saying "I don't think it's a big political issue."

He proposed that protocol officials meet with team leaders before each medal ceremony to "check this is your flag or this is your national anthem."

IOC President Jacques Rogge called it a "most unfortunate incident" and "a simple human mistake."

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