Analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo has been removed from NBC’s coverage of the Olympics after his controversial remark during the Opening Ceremony, according to a report.
During the Parade of Nations, Ramo, who was serving as an Asia correspondent for the network, made a comment about how much of an example Japan has been for Korea culturally and technologically.
“Every Korean will tell you that Japan is a cultural and technological and economic example that has been so important to their own transformation,” Cooper said.
Japan occupied Korea from 1910-1945, which was a period of extreme difficulty for the nation and led to the split of the country into North and South Korea. Many familiar with that time period took offense to Cooper’s remark and made their feelings known to NBC.
The next day, NBC apologized.
“During our coverage of the Parade of Nations on Friday we said it was notable that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the trip to Korea for the Olympics, ‘representing Japan, a country which occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945 but every Korean will tell you that Japan is a cultural, technological and economic example that has been so important to their own transformation.’ We understand the Korean people were insulted by these comments and we apologize,” network anchor Carolyn Manno said Saturday.
On Sunday, The Korea Times reported that they were told Cooper is no longer part of NBC’s coverage.
“It was possible for him to do more with us here; now it is no longer possible,” an NBC official told The Korea Times.
Ramo has yet to apologize for his remark.
