Former FSC head Choi Jong-ku named co-chair of Youth Games Organizing Committee

Choi joins two other co-chairs, former Olympic athletes Jin Jong-oh and Lee Sang-hwa, and was appointed along with seven advisors on Monday at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in central Seoul, about 50 days before the Games begin.

From left: Gangwon Youth Olympic Organizing Committee Secretary General Kim Chul-min, Deputy Governor of Economic Affairs of Gangwon Jeong Kwang-yeol, Yulchon’s Standing Advisor Kim Ki-hong, Korea Aerospace University Chair Professor Yeo Hyung-koo, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon, Gangwon Youth Olympic Co-chairperson Choi Jong-ku, International Skating Union President and International Olympic Committee member Kim Jae-youl, Federation of Korean Industries Vice Chairman Kim Chang-beom, Korea Enterprises Federation Vice President Lee Dong-geun and Korea International Trade Association Executive Vice Chairman Jeong Marn-ki pose with the signs that say ″For the success of the 2024 Gangwon Olympics″ at National Museum Modern and Contemporary Art in central Seoul on Monday. [GANGWON YOUTH OLYMPICS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE]

The Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee appointed former Financial Services Commission (FSC) chairman Choi Jong-ku as its co-chairperson and seven tournament advisors on Monday at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in central Seoul, about 50 days before the Games begin.

Choi joins two other organizing committee co-chairpersons, former Olympic athletes Jin Jong-oh and Lee Sang-hwa, and will prepare for the Youth Olympics set for Gangwon from Jan. 19 through Feb. 1.

Choi is a big business figure in Korea, having served as a chairman of the FSC from 2017 to 2019. He was also a senior vice governor of the Financial Supervisory Service and the president of Export-Import Bank of Korea.

The seven advisors appointed on the same day are also big names with years of administrative experience.

They are: Korea Aerospace University Chair Professor Yeo Hyung-koo, law firm Yulchon’s Standing Advisor Kim Ki-hong, International Skating Union President and International Olympic Committee member Kim Jae-youl, Federation of Korean Industries Vice Chairman Kim Chang-beom, Korea Enterprises Federation Vice President Lee Dong-geun, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Vice Chairman Woo Tae-hee and Korea International Trade Association Executive Vice Chairman Jeong Marn-ki. They are set to work alongside chairperson Choi to elevate interest from the business side and promote the tournament.

Advisors Yeo and Kim Ki-hong have prior experience in organizing the Olympics, as Yeo was the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics secretary general and Kim Ki-hong was the vice president of Games planning for the PyeongChang Organizing Committee.

“Now is the moment to prepare for the tournament in full force and using my experience over the years, I will try to make the tournament as the most successful Youth Olympics in history,” Choi said on Monday. “This Olympics is an opportunity for our people and youth athletes from the around the world to unite and also showcase Korea’s charm to the world.”

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon also attended Monday’s event and wished for the success of the Youth Olympics.

“There are about two months left until the [Youth] Olympics and a lot of people are worried as it is the first international event to take place in Korea after the [World Scout] Jamboree,” Yu said. “Along with chairperson Choi and advisors, we will prepare for the tournament meticulously to bring success.”

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.

Korea is the first Asian country to host the Winter Youth Olympics after past three tournaments took place in Europe.

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

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