A concert by K-pop group "Girls' Generation" has been cancelled after a Korean official was reportedly involved in the disqualification of a Taiwanese athlete at the Asian Games, sparking anti-South Korean sentiment on the island.

According to Taiwanese media reports, the nine-member girl group, which is currently exploding in popularity in Taiwan, was slated to perform at the 54th Asia Pacific Film Festival to be held here from Dec. 2 to 4. However, event organizers have cancelled their invitation to the group, disappointing fans who claim that the anti-South Korean ire does not represent the entire nation of Taiwan.

"The invitation isn't appropriate as it's a sensitive time," a film festival official reportedly said.

The spat began when Taiwan's star taekwondo fighter Yang Shu-chun was disqualified from the women's under-49 kilogram event at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China on Nov. 17 for allegedly wearing extra scoring sensors in her socks.

Taiwanese media also reported that a top South Korean taekwondo official was involved in the decision to disqualify Yang.

Credits:mdnjp