‘DNA of success’ driving 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics preparations

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Park Bo-gyoon promised Sunday that the ministry will make the upcoming 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics an historic global event.

From left: Gangwon Youth Olympics ambassador Park Jae-min, Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-gyu, ambassador Kim Joo-won, curler Kim Eun-jung, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Park Bo-gyoon, mascot Moongcho, co-head of the organizing committee Jin Jong-oh, Secretary General of the organizing committee Kim Chul-min and Deputy Governor of Economic Affairs of Gangwon Jeong Kwang-yeol during an inspection of Gangneung Olympic Park in Gangneung, Gangwon on Sunday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Park Bo-gyoon promised Sunday that the ministry will make the upcoming 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics a historic global event.

The minister made his visit to Gangneung Olympic Park in Gangneung, Gangwon on Sunday, monitoring its facilities including its curling rink.

“Gangwon has the DNA of success,” Park said. “As the Olympic officials, Gangwon’s people and beyond are confident that the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics will not repeat the disappointment and frustration of the World Scout Jamboree.”

The World Scout Jamboree — held in Saemangeum in Buan County, North Jeolla, from Aug. 1 through Aug. 12 — faced criticism from the public for its mismanagement, as the host area lacked shade making it unsuitable for summer camping while event facilities were unsanitary.

“Gangwon 2024 will surpass PyeongChang [2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics] and it will be a tournament that opens up a new paradigm for its sports,” Park said. “Gangwon has accumulated tradition, experience and passion from the World Scout Jamboree in Goseong County and the PyeongChang Olympics which ended in success.

“The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the organizing committee and Gangwon will do their best to make the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics a success with a ‘one-team spirit’ with our people, the people of Gangwon and future generations.”

Co-head of the organizing committee Jin Jong-oh, Secretary General of the organizing committee Kim Chul-min, Deputy Governor of Economic Affairs of Gangwon Jeong Kwang-yeol and Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-gyu also accompanied and checked the facilities that are in the process of renovation.

Some of the facilities utilized for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics will be used for the Gangwon Olympics after the renovation, which is set to be completed in October.

A promotional event for the Youth Olympics took place after the facility check, with 2018 silver medalist Team Kim — a curling team of Gangneung consisting of Kim Eun-jung, Kim Kyeong-ae, Kim Cho-hee, Kim Seon-yeong and Kim Yeong-mi — joining the event to lend their support.

Youth Olympic ambassadors Kim Joo-won and Park Jae-min also took part in the event.

“Shine together, Gangwon together, Moongcho together,” the event attendees said. “We will support the event, so that ‘Gangwon 2024’ will surpass ‘2018 PyeongChang’ and become an attractive tournament.”

“Moongcho” means to bring together various thoughts and powers in Korean and it is also the name of the Youth Olympics mascot.

The Youth Olympics in Gangwon will start on Jan. 19 next year and run through to Feb. 1.

A total of 1,900 athletes from 70 countries are expected to compete in the Games, with 81 medals on the line across 15 different events.

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