SK New Sports Minister Pledges Support For PyeongChang Winter Games

South Korea's newly appointed Sports minister pledged full support for the successful PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018.

Cho Yoon-sun visited the head office of the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province in Seoul, South Korea. Cho appointed the new minister of culture, sports and tourism this week.

Yeo Hyung-koo, the secretary-general of POCOG, and other staff members explained the plans to Cho regarding PyeongChang's preparations for the first Winter Games in South Korea. Also, the second Olympics after the 1988 Summer Games will also be conducted in Seoul. The PyeongChang Winter Games will start on Feb. 9 to 25, 2018.

Cho mentioned that the amount of the budget should no longer be the measuring stick for Olympic Games and the host cities must be more prepared and productive.

"If Seoul 1988 put South Korea on the global map, then PyeongChang 2018 should make us earn admiration from the rest of the world. The key is to portray South Korea as an advanced sports, cultural and tourism nation," Cho said.

After the explanation of the plans, Cho visited the construction sites for the PyeongChang Olympic Plaza, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Games. Cho also visited the Alpensia Sliding Centre which is the location site for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton.

"I am sure there will be difficulties along the way, but I hope you will all keep in mind how much the people wanted to bring the Winter Olympics home. As the Cabinet minister in charge, I will spare no efforts in providing necessary support," Cho told the organizers.

Furthermore, Cho is also scheduled to keep an eye for the preparations of cultural and tourism programs during the Olympics in 2018.