The remark was made by analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo during NBC's coverage of Friday's opening ceremony. He was noting the significance of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit.
"Every Korean will tell you that Japan is a cultural and technical and economic example that has been so important to their own transformation," Ramo said.
Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945. Petitioners said anyone familiar with Japanese treatment of Koreans during that time would be deeply hurt by Ramo's remark. They also criticized the accuracy of giving Japan credit for South Korea's resurgence.
"We believe that staying silent is not an appropriate response to such ignorant, insensitive, and harmful information that defies the very spirit of peace, harmony, and human dignity of the Olympics," it said.