Former Financial Services Commissioner Choi Jong-koo has been appointed as the chief organizer of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Minister Yoo In-chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) appointed former Financial Services Commissioner Choi Jong-koo as the chief organizer of the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (Gangwon 2024) and presented him with a letter of appointment on the afternoon of the 27th at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
In addition, seven new members, including former officials with experience in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Kim Jae-yul, and vice presidents of major economic organizations, have been appointed as advisors to ensure the success of the Games, which are 50 days away.
Mr. Choi is an administrative professional with nearly 40 years of extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. Minister Yoo said that Choi’s experience and longevity make him the right person to help the organizing committee prepare for the Games, as well as strengthen internal and external communication to ensure the success of the Games. The two co-organizers, Lee Sang-hwa and Jin Jong-oh, are former young athletes representing winter and summer respectively, and will focus on promoting the Games by actively communicating with the young athletes (15-18 years old) who are the main protagonists of the Games.
In addition, seven new advisors have been appointed, including Kim Jae-yeol, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and head of global strategy at Samsung Economic Research Institute; Yeo Hyung-gu, former secretary general of the PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee; Kim Ki-hong, former secretary general of the PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee; Kim Chang-beom, senior vice president of the Korea Federation of Businessmen and Entrepreneurs; Lee Dong-geun, senior vice president of the Korea Association of Business Executives; Woo Tae-hee, senior vice president of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Jung Man-ki, senior vice president of the Korea International Trade Association. By appointing the vice chairmen of major Korean economic organizations as advisors, it is expected that they will call for the interest and participation of the business community and lay a solid foundation for the success of the Games with the new chief organizer.
“Youth participating in ‘Gangwon 2024’ will be able to learn the values of solidarity and empathy and create unforgettable memories by interacting with youth from various countries and races,” said Minister Yoo Yoo-chon, congratulating the new organizing committee chairman. “I hope you will take special care to make ‘Gangwon 2024’ a sports festival where youth from around the world can learn and enjoy K-culture.” In particular, “Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, youth sports activities and exchanges have been limited in scope, but with the opportunity of ‘Gangwon 2024,’ more than 2,000 youth athletes from 80 countries around the world will meet again with hope and enjoy the charm of the sports festival and K-culture to the fullest.”