Kimchi crackdown upsets South Korean athletes

DOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) South Korea's medal hopes at the 15th Asian Games may have been dealt a blow after Doha officials confiscated their national dish from team members at the athletes village.

A Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) official said organisers had banned food from being taken into the village but that the regulation was usually overlooked for traditional items such as Korea's spicy national dish, kimchi, Yonhap News agency reported.

A member of the KOC was held by police for two hours after protesting the measure, the official added.

Typically radish or cabbage packed with ginger, garlic and hot peppers and then pickled, kimchi is eaten with most meals in South Korea.

''Technically no food can be taken into the village, yet it has been customary to overlook this ban for certain traditional food,'' the KOC official said.

''Security at the village...confiscated instant noodles, kimchi, anchovies, dried laver and other foods and beverages that South Korean athletes wanted to take into the village,'' he added.

While Korean food is provided in the athletes village, it is typically in short supply. The KOC said the lack of kimchi and other traditional food might hamper the athletes performance.

Thailand's soccer team suffered a similar problem when their supply of food was confiscated at Doha airport.

Qatari customs officials seized almost 1,000 dollars of dried fried beef, rice, chillies, fish sauce and chilli paste.

The opening ceremony for the 15th Asian Games takes place in the Qatari capital on Friday.

Reuters PDS RN2027