NBC apologizes for analyst’s remark

NBC 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 transformation.

The remark was made by analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo during NBC’s coverage of Friday’s Opening Ceremony. He was noting 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 apologize 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.

Ramo, a former journalist at Time magazine, was hired by NBC to bring historical context to its coverage. The network said his assignment is over.