Chattanooga Times Free Press

NBC apologizes to South Koreans for analyst’s remark about Japan

- BY DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK — NBC has apologized to South Koreans for an on-air remark by an analyst who cited Japan as an example that has been important to the country’s own transforma­tion.

The remark was made by analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo during NBC’s coverage of Friday’s opening ceremony. He was noting the significan­ce of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit.

“Every Korean will tell you that Japan is a cultural and technical and economic example that has been so important to their own transforma­tion,” Ramo said.

An online petition quickly circulated demanding an apology, and NBC did on its NBCSN cable network Saturday and formally to the Pyeongchan­g Olympic organizing committee.

Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945. Petitioner­s said anyone familiar with Japanese treatment of Koreans during that time would be deeply hurt by Ramo’s remark. They also criticized the accuracy of giving Japan credit for South Korea’s resurgence.

The petition had more than 10,000 supporters Sunday.

“We believe that staying silent is not an appropriat­e response to such ignorant, insensitiv­e and harmful informatio­n that defies the very spirit of peace, harmony and human dignity of the Olympics,” it said.

NBC said in a statement Sunday it was gratified local Olympic officials accepted the apology. The network said South Korea and its Olympic organizers have been “exceptiona­l hosts in every way.”

Ramo, a former journalist at Time magazine, is co-CEO at Kissinger Associates and had been hired temporaril­y by NBC to bring historical context to its coverage. The network said his assignment at the Olympics is now over.

 ?? THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? South Korean Olympic figure skating champion Yuna Kim, right, takes the torch from North Korea’s Jong Su Hyon, left, and South Korea’s Park Jong-ah during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS South Korean Olympic figure skating champion Yuna Kim, right, takes the torch from North Korea’s Jong Su Hyon, left, and South Korea’s Park Jong-ah during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

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