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Prep for 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics to Begin In Earnest

October 11, 2013
Kim Jin-sun, president of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics Organizing Committee

Kim Jin-sun, president of the
2018 PyeongChang Olympics
Organizing Committee

By Jung Min-ho

Key projects for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, particularly construction of a stadium and other infrastructure will begin by the first quarter of 2014 at the latest, the organizing committee president said Friday.

At its sixth general assembly held at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Kim Jin-sun, president of the PyeongChang Organizing Committee, and Secretary General Moon Dong-hoo retained their posts for another two years to lead preparations for the world’s biggest sporting event for the next two years. Their term will end in October 2015.

“I feel a great sense of responsibility,” Kim told reporters after the meeting. “I will keep trying my best to lead the organization in cooperation with everyone involved in the event.”

Kim imparted a sense of urgency because construction will not be completed in time for the Olympics unless they start early next year.

“We have less than three and a half years to complete the preparation. So, if we miss the right timing, we might face trouble,” Kim said. “We have established a good foundation over the past two years. It is time for some of the real work to begin.”

Starting in June, about 16 percent of the railway link from Wonju to Gangneung has been completed, while new roads needed for the Olympics has been under construction with mutual cooperation from local and central governments, Kim said.

Marketing initiatives have been implemented since PyeongChang signed the Marketing Plan Agreement with International Olympic Committee in January. Kim also asked for support from the business sector. “Corporations can play a pivotal role in creating a boom ahead of the Olympics,” Kim said.

After the Sochi Games next year, PyeongChang will start drawing global attention.

“The opening of the PyeongChang Games coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1988 Seoul Olympics,” Kim said. “The success of the PyeongChang Games largely depends on the cooperation of the people, as shown by the precedence of the great Olympic experience we had in 1988.”