"You Can't Carry the Taegeukgi"... Japanese Airport Police Stop South Korean Team, Give No Reason, Sparking Outrage

[Financial News] The main delegation of South Korea's team for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games arrived on the 17th at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Local police sparked controversy by preventing the delegation from carrying the Taegeukgi.
A total of 122 people, including Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) headquarters officials and athletes from various sports, entered the competition site, led by table tennis star Shin Yu-bin and badminton men's doubles standout Seo Seung-jae, who had been selected as flag bearers for the main delegation's departure and arrival.
However, an unpleasant incident occurred during their arrival. Shin Yu-bin and Seo Seung-jae had carried the Taegeukgi at the front while departing from Incheon International Airport earlier that morning and had planned to carry it in the arrivals hall as well. Local police stopped them over airport security concerns and other issues, preventing the plan from going ahead.
Although a KSOC official lodged a strong protest, Japanese police reportedly refused to back down. They also reportedly failed to provide a clear explanation during the process.
Except for Tokyo 2020, when the Taegeukgi could not be carried because of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korean delegations have entered the arrivals hall carrying the Taegeukgi at every Olympic Games and Asian Games.
Japan also drew controversy on the 15th at a welcome event at the athletes' village, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who launched the Japanese invasions of Korea, appeared.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee explained, "The performance by the Nagoya Omotenashi Musha-tai at the Port of Nagoya arrival event was held to introduce the local culture and tourism of Aichi and Nagoya, the host region. The performance was not intended to support any particular historical figure or convey any historical message."
A KSOC official stated, "We became aware of the situation that occurred at the commemorative event at the cruise-ship athletes' village and sent a letter under Chairman Ryu Seung-min's name to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the organizing committee the previous day, immediately expressing regret and demanding measures to prevent a recurrence."
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