NBC apologizes for analyst’s remark
NBC apologized for an on-air remark by an Olympics analyst that cited Japan as an example that has been important to South Korea’s transformation.
The comment was made by analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo during NBC’s coverage of Friday night’s opening ceremony. NBC apologized on NBC Sports Network on Saturday and formally to the Pyeongchang Olympic organizers.
Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945. Online petitioners demanded an apology, saying 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.
Ramo, a former journalist at Time magazine, was hired by NBC to bring historical context to its coverage. The network said his assignment at the Olympics is now over. Chloe Kim will try to become yet another 17-year-old gold medalist in snowboarding for the United States as the three-time X Games champ competes in the women’s halfpipe final (8 p.m., NBC) as the top seed. Red Gerard, 17, won gold in men’s slopestyle on Sunday. ‘‘I was like, ‘Oh no!’ If that comes undone, the whole thing could just pop off. I was terrified the entire program.’’
— figure skater Yura Min of South Korea, who had the back of her costume come unfastened just seconds into an ice dance short dance team performance with partner Alexander Gamelin