The error saw North Korea's flag (top) replaced by the South Korean flag (bottom)
Olympic officials in
London are to blame for a flag row which jeopardised a women's football
game at Hampden Stadium in Glasgow, it has emerged.
The North Korean women's team walked off after a video introducing their players showed the South Korean flag.They could only be persuaded to return for their match against Columbia after the error was corrected.
BBC Scotland understands the video package was sent from London and Hampden organisers had no input.
BBC Scotland's Olympics correspondent Kheredine Idessane said: "These video packages are sent centrally from London, out to the other venues, so, this isn't a Glasgow problem.
Countries 'at war'
"There were the correct North Korean flags flying in the top
tier of the stadium where they have all the flags displayed from
countries who are competing in the tournament."As yet the London games organisers have been unable to clarify who made the video.
The blunder had the impact it did because of the situation which exists between both Koreas.
Both countries are still technically at war after the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice.
Speaking after the match, North Korea's coach Sin Ui Gun said: "Our team was not going to participate unless the problem was solved properly."
A statement released by London 2012 organisers said: "Ahead of the women's football match at Hampden Park, the Republic of Korea flag was shown on a big screen video package instead of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea flag.
"Clearly that is a mistake, we will apologise to the team and the National Olympic Committee and steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again."
The incident made headlines around the world - except in communist controlled North Korea.
State news agency KCNA reported the women's Olympic football team beating Colombia 2-0 but made no mention of the flag row.
