NBC contributor Josh Cooper Ramo ran into some controversy during the 2018 Winter Olympics after making a comment about the relationship between Japan and South Korea.

As the Washington Post reported, Ramo said on live television that "every Korean will tell you that Japan as a cultural and technological and economic example has been so important to their own transformation." The comment was made after Ramo spoke of Japan's 35-year occupation of the region.

Many were upset with the comments, which seemed to ignore various crimes against committed against the Korean people. These included, as the New York Times pointed out, forcing Korean women into sex work.

>> On Rare.us: America first? Not according to this country’s Winter Olympics fans

Several viewers called the comment callous.

NBC anchor Carolyn Manno apologized in an on-air statement:

>> Read more trending news

"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."

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream's Jordin Canada (right) goes to the basket against Indiana Fever's Aari McDonald during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC