A fine was imposed during the filming of a segment for a German satirical television show in Greenland, after a member of the production team indicated an intention to raise a US flag in a public space.

The incident comes against the backdrop of international debate over Greenland's political status and repeated statements by US President Donald Trump about owning the island, which is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

What happened during the filming in Greenland?

Broadcaster NDR said a member of the Extra 3 editorial team indicated locally that a US flag was to be raised in a public place during filming.

Bavarian comedian Maxi Schafroth, 41, attempted to run up the Stars and Stripes on a flagpole near the cultural center in Nuuk, before he was confronted by passers-by. He had claimed to be a US official and left to disapproving looks from locals, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.

Police arrived and a fine was imposed, according to a spokeswoman for the broadcaster. An investigation is ongoing.

NDR has said filming took place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Nuuk.

What was the local reaction?

Avaaraq Olsen, who is the mayor of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq district that includes the capital, was outraged.

"Raising a flag at our capital cultural center, the flag of a military superpower that for weeks has been implying military force against our country, is not a joke," she said in a statement.

"It is not funny. It is immensely harmful." Olsen said Greenlanders, particularly children, had been particularly worried about the whole situation.

"When you amplify those fears for content, clicks or laughs, you are not being bold or creative," she said. "You are adding to the distress of an already vulnerable population... So, pause before you film. Think before you stage something 'funny.'

"Consider whether your next question or stunt will inform the world, or simply make a child cry or a family feel less safe in their own country," Olsen said.

What has the broadcaster said?

The broadcaster said the segment was intended as a critical, satirical response to internationally discussed actions and statements by the US concerning Greenland.

"The globally discussed actions of the USA prompted the critical examination in the satirical program. At no point during filming was it intended that the satire was aimed at Greenlanders," the broadcaster stated. "The editorial team expresses its regret to the people of Greenland should this impression have been created."

The broadcaster said it takes the sensitivities surrounding the filming location seriously.

Extra 3 has been broadcast for many years on NDR as part of Germany's public television programming.

What are the sensitivities that surround the incident?

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken about the possibility of annexing Greenland — sometimes saying he intends to buy it and at other times saying he would use military force to control the Arctic island.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump has said after talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that there was now a framework for an agreement on Greenland's future.

At the same time, Trump has withdrawn previously threatened punitive tariffs against European allies, including Germany, after they expressed support for Greenland and Denmark.

Trump has justified his interest in Greenland by saying that otherwise Russia or China could seek to take control of the island.

Edited by: Sean Sinico