Japan lodges protest over Inter-Korean Winter Olympic Unification Flag.
On Monday, the Japanese government reacted furiously over an inter-Korean Olympic flag depicting the disputed uninhabited Islands called “Dokdo” in South Korea and “Takeshima” in Japan as part of Korea.
The hoisting of the unified Olympic flag during an exhibition match between the newly formed women’s inter-Korean ice hockey team and Sweden in Incheon, South Korea sparked outcry from the Japanese government, with official protests being lodged at the Japanese embassy in South Korea and South Korean embassy in Tokyo.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a press conference on Monday that the situation was “extremely regrettable” and they are waiting for South Korea to “respond appropriately in light of Japan’s territorial rights on Takeshima Island.”
The South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed today they will forgo the controversial flag, accepting the International Olympic Committee’s recommendation not to politicize sports events. Both South Korea and North Korea are expected to march as one at the PyeongChang opening ceremony under the unification flag, but a version not showing the disputed islands.
At a press conference, South Korean Foreign Ministry representative Noh Kyu-duk alluded to the fact their revision was not propelled by Japan’s opposition but rather affirmed their “basic stance is to respect IOC’s decision for IOC-run events.
