Invest KOREA

South Korea's sports minister met with the head of the world's top Olympic organization here on Sunday to seek cooperation for the 2018 Winter Olympics bid by a South Korean alpine city.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, minister Choung Byoung-gug spoke with Jacques Rogge, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for 20 minutes about the Winter Games bid by PyeongChang, located on the east coast of South Korea.

Their meeting came on the sidelines of the Asian Winter Games, which run through Feb. 6.

According to the ministry, Choung stressed to Rogge that South Korea is "perfectly ready" to host the Winter Olympics.

"If South Korea hosts the Winter Games, then it will further promote winter sports across Asia," Choung was quoted as saying. "I'd like to ask you for your cooperation with PyeongChang since we can realize the Olympic spirit with the Winter Games."

The ministry said Rogge told Choung that he expected a tough competition for the right to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and wished the South Korean town his best.

PyeongChang is bidding to host a Winter Olympics for the third time, after falling short to Vancouver, Canada, and Sochi, Russia. This year, PyeongChang is running against Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France.

The winner will be decided at the IOC General Assembly in Durban, South Africa, on July 6. South Korea has never hosted the Winter Olympics.

Source: Yonhap News (Jan. 30, 2011)