Commemorative coins for Paris Olympics arrive in Korea

The Monnaie de Paris brought the official commemorative coins for the 2024 Paris Olympics to Korea on Wednesday, introducing them at the Embassy of France in Seodamum District, western Seoul alongside local distributor Poongsan Hwadong.

The 2024 Paris Olympics commemorative coins [YONHAP]

The Monnaie de Paris — the French mint — brought the official commemorative coins for the 2024 Paris Olympics to Korea on Wednesday, introducing them at the Embassy of France in Seodamum District, western Seoul alongside local distributor Poongsan Hwadong.

The Monnaie de Paris issued the commemorative coins to celebrate the 2024 Paris Olympics taking place in the French capital for the first time in a century.

The commemorative coins include various images, including renowned landmarks like the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum.

“Paris will be the hub of the world events, with the 2024 Olympics,” chairman of the Monnaie de Paris Marc Schwartz said during a press conference. “The Monnaie de Paris included such heritage as cultural traditions, sports and the Olympics emblem in order to celebrate the Olympics.

“The Olympic events will take place across multiple famous places that represent Paris, which is why we included those on the commemorative coins.”

Equestrian and modern pentathlon events will be held near the Palace of Versailles.

“The Korean team as well as those around the world will gather together and promote friendship, and it will serve as a good example for all the athletes in the world,” Secretary General of the Korea Sport & Olympic Committee Yoon Sung-wook said.

Secretary General of the Korea Sport & Olympic Committee Yoon Sung-wook speaks during a press conference at the Embassy of France in Seodaemun District, western Seoul on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

“I think that the commemorative coins will be another important value for all those awaiting the Olympics. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee will put a lot of effort into promoting the Olympics and raising awareness of the event among Korean people through the Paris Olympics commemorative coins.”

The commemorative coins are available to order in Korea on a first-come-first-served basis from Wednesday through June 23.

The Industrial Bank of Korea, Nonghyup Bank, Shinhan Bank, post office branches and Poongsan Hwadong will receive purchase requests.

Online purchases are also available through such sites as Hyundai Hmall, The Hyundai and Funshop.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]