Prime Minister Han Deok-soo (second from left in first row) on Jan. 4 receives a briefing while inspecting the bleachers at Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre in Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province. (Prime Minister's Office)
Prime Minister Han Deok-soo on Jan. 4 inspected sites for the Winter Youth Olympics (Gangwon 2024) in Gangwon-do Province to check preparations, saying, "Pay extra attention to safety and hygiene to create conditions for youth athletes to showcase their skills to the fullest."
The Office for Government Policy Coordination and Prime Minister's Secretariat in a news release said Prime Minister Han in the afternoon visited Pyeongchang-gun County and Gangneung in the province, two sites of the tournament's events, to encourage the organizing committee's staff and inspect major facilities such as stadiums, venue of the opening ceremony and athletes' village.
Accompanying him were Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran, Gangwon-do Gov. Kim Jin Tae, the committee's Co-president Jin Jongoh and Secretary General Kim Chul-min, and Vice Minister of the Interior and Safety for Disaster and Safety Management Yi Han-Kyung.
The prime minister first visited the committee's office in the county, where he encouraged the staff. "Please strive to prevent accidents, organize cultural and interactive programs, and offer guidance and convenience for both watching and competing in events," he said.
Moving on to Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre in Pyeongchang-gun to check the readiness of the nine venues and amenities there, he also received a report on the installation and operation plan of mobile toilets installed at Alpensia Biathlon Centre. "As the competition will be opened in winter, please prepare for unexpected situations such as frozen toilets," he said.
At Yongpyong Dome and Gangneung Oval, the prime minister was briefed on preparations for the opening ceremony.
"Prepare thorough crowd and traffic management measures since a large number of spectators are expected," he said. "Preparations should be made to ensure that the opening ceremony, which will be held at two venues, runs smoothly and that the tournament's message 'Let Us Shine' is clearly conveyed."
At a dormitory serving as the athletes' village at the Gangneung campus of Gangneung-Wonju National University, Prime Minister Han received updates on accommodations and food and beverage facilities. "I hope that the organizing committee, Gangwon-do and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stay focused on the remaining 15 days and quickly and actively respond to all processes from the arrival of the athletes to their departure."
As the first Winter Youth Olympics to be held in Asia, Gangwon 2024 is expected to see an estimated 1,900 youth athletes from 80 countries compete. Running from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1, the tournament has four main venues: Gangneung and the counties of Pyeongchang-gun, Jeongseon-gun and Hwaseong-gun.
margareth@korea.kr