[Interview] Sim Jaeguk, Pyeongchang County Governor, "Let's Meet Again in Pyeongchang with United Passion"

Full Effort to Host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the '2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games'
Abundant Accommodation Facilities Including Alpensia, Yongpyong Resort, and Phoenix Park
Two KTX Stations, Five 4-Lane ICs... Road Expansion and Surrounding Scenery Maintenance

Sim Jae-guk, Pyeongchang County Governor

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The '2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games' will be held for 15 days from January 19 to February 1, 2024, in four cities of Gangwon Province: Pyeongchang, Gangneung, Jeongseon, and Hoengseong.

As the upcoming Olympics and the host cities for the opening and closing ceremonies are about to be decided, pride and competition among the cities are already intensifying, raising expectations and excitement.

The '2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games' is a legacy event of the '2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.' Notably, 'Gangwon 2024' will be the fourth edition of the Games and the first Winter Youth Olympic Games held outside Europe, taking place in Asia.

The scale of participation is expected to reach about 2,900 athletes from over 70 countries. Among the 7 sports, 15 disciplines, and 81 events, snow sports are the main events of the Winter Olympics.

Pyeongchang, located at an altitude of 1,000 meters, receives heavy snowfall and the snow does not melt easily, providing an ideal environment for snow sports competitions.

Sim Jae-guk, the mayor of Pyeongchang County, pledged, "With renewed united passion, we will do our best to make the Winter Youth Olympic Games a competition that brings fun, emotion, and hope to the people."

Since the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the brand value of Pyeongchang has greatly increased. Pyeongchang has once again been selected as the host city for the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games.

Pyeongchang County expects many athletes and domestic and international tourists to visit, and plans to focus on hospitality training for restaurant and accommodation staff as well as creating a clean city environment.

Mayor Sim said, "We will focus on raising residents' cultural awareness and related education," adding, "Among those who have moved to Pyeongchang, many are proficient in foreign languages and will provide great help as volunteers during the Olympics."

Ski Jump Tower [Pyeongchang-gun]

Many Winter Olympic events are snow sports. Biathlon, bobsleigh, skeleton, ski jumping, and others are the highlights of the Winter Olympics. All these venues are available in Pyeongchang.

Additionally, Mayor Sim boasted about Pyeongchang’s accessibility as a candidate site for the opening and closing ceremonies of Gangwon 2024.

Mayor Sim stated, "There are two KTX stations (Jinbu and Pyeongchang), and five four-lane highway interchanges. Roads to the venues and accommodations have been expanded and the surrounding scenery is well maintained."

He also listed abundant local accommodations such as Hanwha Resort, Phoenix Park, Yongpyong Resort, Alpensia, Daegwallyeong Ranch, and Herb Nara.

Especially, Pyeongchang’s snow removal capability on roads, ensuring safe travel for athletes, spectators, and tourists to the venues, is another point of pride.

Mayor Sim emphasized, "The snow removal skills and know-how of Pyeongchang residents are top-notch compared to other cities. The IOC recognized this during the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. Therefore, the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2024 Gangwon Games must naturally be held in Pyeongchang."

He dismissed some speculations by saying, "If the opening and closing ceremony locations are decided politically, Pyeongchang residents will boycott the Olympics. The passionate and proud people of Pyeongchang will never tolerate that."

Pyeongchang County Council is urging the selection of Pyeongchang as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the '2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games.' [Pyeongchang County]

Pyeongchang has developed by building much infrastructure in the northern area through hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics. Mayor Sim expressed his ambition to extend development to the southern part of Pyeongchang through the 2024 Gangwon Games.

He confidently stated, "By building tourism infrastructure in the south, Pyeongchang will become a landmark of South Korea, ushering in an era of 10 million tourists annually." He also expected, "Tourists will visit and stay in Pyeongchang year-round, which will have a significant economic impact."

The '2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games' is an international sports event. Government support and public backing are essential for its successful hosting.

Mayor Sim said, "Pyeongchang County has all the infrastructure necessary for hosting the Winter Olympics. Thorough preparations are underway in all areas including residents' cultural awareness, hospitality, accommodation, restaurants, and tourism content."

He added, "We hope for the generous support and encouragement of the public so that the Youth Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies in Pyeongchang will be successful and yield good results. Furthermore, we plan to host the Winter Asian Games, World Military Games, and Student Olympics."