Before she received the Olympic torch from two players of the joint women's hockey team -- Park Jong-ah from the South and Jong Su-hyon from the North -- Kim, who hung up her boots after the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics skated on the ice below the cauldron, which is installed on the top of the open-air arena.

   "I skated on ice for about 10 years, but it was my first time performing at such a high spot," she said. "But because many people supported me, I think I was able to finish it without a mistake."

   Choosing Kim for the honor was a no-brainer. She's the first South Korean to win an Olympic figure skating gold -- she also added a silver in 2014 -- and the first to win a figure skating world championship.

   Kim, who has been working for PyeongChang 2018 since its bid process, said she was told by the local organizers that she would be the cauldron lighter at the opening ceremony.

   "I was told few months ago, but I didn't know about the concept, whether I should skate or not, and also the size of the ice," she said. "After the size of the ice and the music were confirmed, I thought about the moves and costumes. I just rehearsed it about two days from Monday."

   The 27-year-old said when she received the Olympic torch, she felt very emotional and realized that the Olympics were finally here.

   "Even at the rehearsal, I really didn't feel something special," she said. "But yesterday, not only myself, I believe all people there felt emotional when the Olympic flame arrived." (Yonhap)