Pyeongchang will host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games

President Dr. Kang Young Joong visited Durban, South Africa from July 2 till July 7 to attend IOC session and to attract the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

During the IOC session, President Kang met various IOC members and stakeholders, tried to communicate how deeply and sincerely the Koreans are wishing to open 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

Pyeongchang received 63 votes in the first round of voting held at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 123rd Session held in Durban, South Africa, with Munich, Germany receiving 25 votes and Annecy, France receiving seven votes. This will be the first time that winning the Olympic bid in the first round since 1995.

This success was due to full support from the whole nation, successful presentation, and the effort of sports figures by working in the field.

Especially, President Dr. Kang Young Joong contributed in expanding the bases of winter sports by supporting ‘Drive the Dream’ program through World Youth and Culture Foundation with Gangwon-do last year. Through the program, the youth and disabled friends from those countries do not have circumstances to do winter sports such as Africa were invited and had opportunity to experience winter sports in systematic training course and to build relationship and share culture.

‘Driving the Dream’ program become one of positive factor in selecting Winter Olympic.

This is the first time that South Korea has hosted the Olympic Winter Games and will be the second Olympic Games after 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. With this, Korea has become 8th country who is hosting both summer and Winter Olympic Games after France, USA, Germany, Italia, Japan, Canada and Russia.