NBC parts ways with analyst after Korea-Japan comment

NBC has decided that it will no longer feature analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo during the Winter Games after his on-air comments about Japan being a " cultural and technical and economic example" for South Korea drew backlash.

Ramo made the remark as Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shown on the broadcast. Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945, and many believed that Ramo's remarks disrespectfully overlooked that key aspect of the country's history and gave Japan undeserved credit for South Korea's revival.

A petition demanding an on-air apology from NBC reached nearly 16,000 signatures, and the network did apologize on NBCSN. On Sunday, an NBC spokesperson told The Korea Times that Ramo had been relieved of his Olympic duties.

Via Korea Times:

NBC Sports analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo has been relieved from its PyeongChang Olympic coverage after enraging many Koreans with ignorant remarks about their country.

An NBC Sports spokesperson, who refused to be named, told The Korea Times Sunday that Ramo has been removed from the role.

"It was possible for him to do more with us here; now it is no longer possible," the official said.

Ramo, co-CEO at Kissinger Associates, had been hired by NBC as a temporary analyst for the Winter Games.

(Thanks to Awful Announcing for sharing)

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