By Korea.net PyeongChang Special Report Team
Gangneung, Pyeongchang | March 19, 2018

With the Closing Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, the festival held across Pyeongchang, Jeongseon and Gangneung in Gangwon-do Province has finally come to an end on March 18.

It took almost a whole month, from the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics on Feb. 9 through to the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympics on March 18. How did the atmosphere in Gangwon-do Province change after a month-long, breathtaking journey?

Kim Bong Rae, a local resident who was born and raised in Gangwon-do Province, has been preparing for the PyeongChang Olympics since the very beginning. He has been involved as an alpine skiing referee and as a volunteer at the PyeongChang Games. His passion for the PyeongChang Olympics led to a collection of articles and records, and eventually he created a small museum of the PyeongChang Olympics next to his restaurant. He said with bitterness that, “It’s difficult to believe that it’s all over now.”

“However, since the Olympic Games were a huge success, the people of Gangwon-do Province can utilize the remaining facilities quite effectively. The Olympic Games were just the first half of the game. Now, we have to prepare for the second half,” he said.



Han Seung Sook, who we met at the Gangwon-do Province Volunteer Information Center, also said, “Now, after the end of the Paralympics, it's time for Pyeongchang itself.”

Han, who came from Wonju, Gangwon-do Province, to volunteer in Pyeongchang, said, "In the long run, the Olympic Games have secured the foundation for economic development in Gangwon-do Province. From now on, Gangwon-do Province has an important responsibility. It needs to contemplate how to use it effectively."

Kim Kyung A, who runs a bar near the Olympic Plaza in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, said, "I’m actually quite relieved that it’s finally over," she laughed, saying that she could now return to her normal life. It's true that she was able to have a special experience through the Olympics, but she expressed regret that she couldn’t truly enjoy the Olympics due to her work. She also expressed concern about economic stagnation after the Olympics.

Kim Hee Jueng, who runs a third-generation sundubu soft tofu restaurant in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, said, "Sales didn't increase as much as I expected before the Olympics.” She added with hope that, “Thanks to the Olympics, now there are more transportation facilities, like the high-speed KTX train. I hope more people can visit the restaurant using the transportation facilities."

Choi Moon-soon, governor of Gangwon-do Province, said, "Although it wasn’t perfect, there's no doubt that -- in general -- it was the best Olympics so far. This wasn't only the result of the efforts made by the local residents of Gangwon-do Province, but also by all the citizens of Korea and overseas Koreans everywhere, who together worked for this accomplishment. Through sports, we have opened the door to improve inter-Korean ties, and we will keep on expanding the scope of the exchanges." He expressed his will to increase exchanges with North Korea in non-sports fields, too, such as tours to the Geumgangsan Mountain region and the construction of the Cheorwon "peace industrial complex."

The aftermath of the Winter Olympics varies among different host cities. Some have become popular by keeping the Olympic legacy alive, such as London, while others, such as Japan's Nagano, have been burdened with debt. We hope that Pyeongchang in Gangwon-do Province, which has successfully completed the Olympics and Paralympics, will continue its efforts to remain in the spotlight of the world.


km137426@korea.kr