Deliveryman cops scrum over anthem

National security police have arrested a 42-year-old deliveryman - who is suspected of reposting videos with insulting messages of the national anthem blunder in Incheon.

That saw a Hong Kong protest song mistakenly played in place of the national anthem ahead of a rugby match in South Korea, and ir led to his arrest for incitement of hatred against the central government and the SAR administration.

Police said the suspect, Wong, had allegedly made posts on multiple social media platforms to incite others to take up violence by encouraging them to insult the national flag and anthem.

After arresting Wong yesterday, officers raided his home and office in the afternoon where they seized telecommunication devices he had allegedly used to post the materials.

Sources said he had been active on his personal accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter since 2021 and repeatedly posted messages calling for rebellion against the city's strict Covid-19 measures.

He had also allegedly encouraged people to "fight for Hong Kong" and to persist with "black violent" actions stemming from the 2019 anti-extradition protest.

Sources said Wong wrote in one of his posts that he "thanks Incheon for recognizing the Hong Kong anthem [Glory to Hong Kong]" - which not only advocated the city's independence, but was also an insult to the national anthem, adding that he had incited other anti-government protesters to make similar posts.

Wong is currently detained at a police station.

"It is a serious crime to act with a seditious intention. A first-time offender can be sentenced to two years in jail," police said.

The arrest came as the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong said it will issue guidelines this week to sports associations on the handling of national flag raising and anthem ceremonies during international events.

The honorary secretary general, Ronnie Wong Man-chiu, said the guidelines will act as a standard procedure to avert similar mix-ups.

"We will likely provide national flags and the national anthem that have our confirmation - as well as the government's approval - to each sports association before they leave for matches," he said.

"Each association should be given two sets - with one used as a backup. They will have to sign a confirmation with the organizer as well."