By Yoon Seungjin
Photos = Olympic Information Services of International Olympic Committee

Freestyle skier Lee Jeong-min, the last torchbearer of Gangwon 2024, on Jan. 19 lights the Youth Olympic Cauldron at the tournament's opening ceremony held at the Gangneung Oval in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province.

Carrying their national flag Taegeukgi, Team Korea dressed in winter Hanbok (traditional costumes) on Jan. 19 enters Gangwon 2024's opening ceremony at the Gangneung Oval in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province. They also wear traditional jobawi (winter hats) and pungcha (caps) from the Joseon Dynasty made of traditional quilts for extra warmth.

Representatives of Gangwon 2024's athletes, coaching staff and judges on Jan. 19 give their oaths at the tournament's opening ceremony held at the Gangneung Oval in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province. From left are the coaches' representative Lim Nam-kyu (luge), those of the athletes Lee Yoon Seung (freestyle ski) and Jung Jae-hee (short track), and that of the judges Cho Won-joo (curling).

Ice goblins representing "stars and orbits" on Jan. 19 skate in a performance at the opening ceremony of Gangwon 2024 held at the Gangneung Oval in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province.

The flag bearers of Gangwon 2024's participating countries on Jan. 19 enter the Gangneung Oval in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, the site of the opening ceremony.

The flag bearers of the Thai national team at Gangwon 2024 on Jan. 19 sport a big smile in entering the opening ceremony at the Gangneung Oval in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province.

The Kazakh national team on Jan. 19 smiles as members enter the venue for Gangwon 2024's opening ceremony.

Members of the Norwegian national team on Jan. 19 take photos of the competition's mascot Moongcho with their smartphones as the character welcomes their arrival at Gangwon 2024's opening ceremony held at the Gangneung Oval in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province.

scf2979@korea.kr