Pyeongchang Residents Oppose Joint Hosting of Winter Youth Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Protests Spread

Local Groups Say "Only a Supporting Role for Gangneung" Plan Protest Visits to Gangwon Province and Ministry of Culture
Pyeongchang County and Council Threaten "Suspension of Administrative and Financial Support, Budget Cuts... Willing to 'Boycott the Games'"
Olympic Organizing Committee States "Working to Help Pyeongchang's Economic Development and Pride"

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Opposition is spreading among 240 local organizations and residents of Pyeongchang County regarding the decision to jointly host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games in Pyeongchang and Gangneung.

Residents of Pyeongchang County are protesting, saying that all major events, including the athletes' parade, will be held in Gangneung, leaving Pyeongchang only as a supporting role.

In particular, the Pyeongchang County Prosperity Association is holding rallies demanding the withdrawal of the joint hosting decision for the opening and closing ceremonies, and is also planning protest visits to related organizations such as Gangwon Province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The Prosperity Association held an emergency meeting at Jinbu-myeon Office on the 12th to discuss protest visits to Gangwon Province, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and other related organizations, and decided to continue follow-up measures to block the joint hosting decision for the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies.

On the 7th and 9th, they consecutively met with the Pyeongchang County Governor and the Chairman of the Pyeongchang County Council, demanding suspension of all administrative and financial support related to the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games and budget cuts, urging participation in a boycott of the Games.

Earlier, on the 5th, after issuing a 'Opposition' statement condemning the organizing committee's decision to jointly host the opening and closing ceremonies, they immediately filed a rally report for a month, demonstrating a strong will to fight.

Choi Chang-seon, President of the Prosperity Association, stated, "If the opinions of Pyeongchang residents are not reflected despite continuous demands to withdraw the joint hosting of the opening and closing ceremonies, we will launch full-scale protest activities including protest visits and rallies against Gangwon Province, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the organizing committee."

The Pyeongchang County Council also supported the Prosperity Association's demand for withdrawal through a statement, saying, "The joint hosting decision is a betrayal that tramples on the pride of the residents," and "We will fully cut related budgets and promote strong protests such as boycotting events related to the Games according to the will of the residents."

The County Council warned, "We will strongly condemn the organizing committee's decision through collective actions including protest rallies and show our stance through actions."

Pyeongchang County is also reviewing all administrative support related to the Games and plans not to provide future support related to Winter Olympic events.

A county official said, "The organizing committee's plan, where all major events such as the athletes' parade are held in Gangneung and Pyeongchang is only a supporting role, has left a deep wound on the pride of Pyeongchang residents, the Olympic city, beyond disappointment and regret."

Meanwhile, the Winter Youth Olympic organizing committee announced on the 1st a plan to hold the athletes' parade and VIP protocol in Gangneung, and the torch relay and some performances in Pyeongchang.

An organizing committee official told this paper in a phone interview, "The ceremonial events are held in Gangneung as required by the IOC," adding, "We contracted to consult with the IOC on all aspects, but it is practically a demand, and we cannot refuse their request."

He continued, "To change the plan, we must meet the hosting requirements demanded by the IOC, and corresponding measures must follow," adding, "We are making every effort to help the economic development of the Pyeongchang area even a little and to uphold Pyeongchang's pride."