Ki Sung-yeung, a member of the South Korean national soccer team, is embroiled in controversy after using the wrong hand in a ceremonial salute at the start of a friendly match on Wednesday. 

In the World Cup send-off match against Tunisia in Seoul, Ki put his left hand over the right side of his chest during the national anthem.

Under the Korean flag act, Koreans not in uniform are asked to put their right hand over the left side of the chest and look at the national flag during the anthem.

Some netizens were outraged over his manners, saying he is not qualified to be a member of the national soccer team. Others raised suspicions that Ki intentionally did it.

Some Korean new outlets also reported that it was not his first time saluting with the wrong hand. Ki previously said in an interview that he unwittingly had put up his left hand ahead of a match with Mexico. Seeing his mistake, other players laughed at him, Ki said in the interview.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)