Huge Cruise Ship Used as Athletes' Village, But Stir Over Hideyoshi Portrayal

[Anchor]

For the first time in history, an ultra-large cruise ship is being used as accommodation for athletes at this competition. However, controversy has erupted after a person reenacting Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who instigated the Japanese invasions of Korea, appeared at the welcome event held today (15th). During the Tokyo Olympics, Japan took issue with a banner of Admiral Yi Sun-sin put up by our delegation, claiming it was a political message, and eventually forced its removal.

Reporter Yu Byeongmin is on the scene.

[Reporter]

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

Departing from Busan and arriving in Nagoya this morning, this vessel is the Costa Serena, which will be used as athletes' accommodation for this competition.

The organizing committee rented it for about 39 billion won over a period of three weeks to use as lodging instead of an athletes' village, making it 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, Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee: I am truly pleased that we can host a large-scale international sporting event with this new type of accommodation.]

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

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

However, controversy arose when a person disguised as Toyotomi Hideyoshi—the very figure who provoked the Japanese invasions of Korea—appeared as the opening act of the pre-performance prepared by the organizing committee.

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

The organizing committee explained that Toyotomi, Oda, and Tokugawa—historical figures from the Nagoya region—were welcoming the opening, but criticism seems unavoidable that it is an inappropriate figure for a "festival of peace."

(Video Shooting: Kim Se-kyung, Video Editing: Park Choon-bae, Design: Kim Min-young, Video Provided by: YouTube HB Tour)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.