$500,000 Fine for Hoisting North Korean Flag

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) imposed a fine of $500,000 on the Olympic Council of Asia due to the raising of the North Korean flag during the recent Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, despite North Korea being banned for failing to comply with international anti-doping regulations. In 2021, WADA prohibited the display of the North Korean flag in all major sporting events except for the Olympic and Paralympic Games after stating that North Korea failed to implement an effective testing program for doping. However, the North Korean flag was raised during the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in China, in the Olympic village, and during competitions and medal ceremonies. WADA announced in a statement, "It became clear during the Asian Games that the Olympic Council of Asia did not take action to address the non-compliance of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and its flag was raised repeatedly throughout the entire event..." They continued, "Despite repeated reminders from WADA before and during the Games, the Olympic Council of Asia refused to comply."