Athletes to Stay on '63 Building-Sized' Cruise Ship... Absurdity at Event Stage

[Anchor]

For the first time in history, an ultra-large cruise ship will be used as accommodation for athletes at this upcoming games. However, controversy has erupted after a person reenacting Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who triggered the Imjin War, appeared at the arrival welcome event held today (the 15th). During the past Tokyo Olympics, Japan took issue with our delegation's banner of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, claiming it was a political slogan, and ultimately forced its removal.

Reporter Yu Byeongmin is on-site.

[Reporter]

An ultra-large cruise ship docked at Nagoya's Kinjo Pier boasts a magnificent appearance.

Departing from Busan and arriving in Nagoya this morning, the ship is the Costa Serena, which will be used as athlete accommodation for these games.

The organizing committee rented it for about 39 billion won over three weeks to use as accommodation instead of an athletes' village, marking the first time in history that a cruise ship has been deployed as an official athletes' village for an international multi-sport event.

[Omura Hideaki / President of the Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee: I am truly pleased that we are able to host a large-scale international sporting event with a new form of accommodation.]

Measuring 290 meters in length—taller than the 63 Building—and standing as high as a 14-story apartment building, the Costa Serena is scheduled to accommodate 4,000 athletes across 1,500 rooms. True to its luxury cruise status, it is equipped with various amenities such as restaurants and swimming pools.

Athletes from 17 sports, including table tennis and judo, have been assigned to the cruise athletes' village, giving them a unique experience.

However, controversy has arisen as a person dressed up as Toyotomi Hideyoshi—who started the Imjin War—appeared in the very first segment of the pre-performance prepared by the organizing committee.

Five years ago during the Tokyo Olympics, our delegation hung a phrase modeled after Admiral Yi Sun-shin's famous saying on the outer wall of the athletes' village. Japanese media raised issues, claiming it was a political message, and far-right groups protested in front of the village, leading to the removal of the banner.

The organizing committee explained that Toyotomi, Oda, and Tokugawa—historical figures of the Nagoya region—welcomed the opening, but criticism that this figure is inappropriate for a "festival of peace" seems inevitable.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Video reporting: Kim Se-kyung, Video editing: Park Chun-bae, Design: Kim Min-young, Video provided by: YouTube HB Tour)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.