Tomas Bach (left), president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), listens to President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae on July 3. (Cheong Wa Dae)
By Sohn JiAe
President Moon Jae-in exchanged ideas with President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on how to make next year’s PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as successful as possible.
During the meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on July 3, President Moon said, “Although preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games have been going well, I’m a bit worried that not enough promotion for the sporting event has yet been made at this point.”
“As the PyeongChang Games are the first-ever international event that the new government is carrying out, I call for the IOC to actively join in on efforts at promoting the event,” he added.
“Promoting the event not only here at home, but also globally, is very important,” said the IOC president. “As the next host nations for Olympic Games following Korea, China and Japan would be good partners for you to work with in that effort,” he advised.
President Moon also hoped that North Korea would be able to take part in the games, too, saying, “I know that the North’s participation depends on the IOC. If Pyongyang is part of it, it would not only promote the Olympic spirit, but also contribute to regional and world peace, and to the cohesion of mankind, for sure.”
"We want to make the PyeongChang Olympic Games as successful as possible, and also turn them into 'peace Olympics' that can heal our people's wounds, who have endured a divided nation over the past many decades," President Moon said.
“Korea is an IOC partner for the sake of the success of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. We also see the North’s participation as being desirable in many ways. Let’s go for it together,” he added.
“As a German, I’m well aware of how painful living in a divided nation is,” said the IOC head. “I’d say we are in the same boat. The IOC will work to bring to Korea, and the Olympic Games, brilliant success.”
“Personally, I support President Moon’s efforts to bring reconciliation and peace to the Korean Peninsula. I promise that I will become a firm partner for you,” he said.