Kim Jin-sun talks about his PyeongChang ambitions


When the International Olympic Committee announced PyeongChang as the host city for the 2018 Games in July, he was weeping with joy and relief.

But in an interview with The Korea Herald on Monday, Kim Jin-sun, former Gangwon Province governor, said he was now feeling overwhelmed by the pressure and responsibilities.

Three weeks ago, 64-year-old Kim was nominated as the head of PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee. He was formally elected to the leadership position Wednesday during the committee’s inaugural meeting.

“I feel more worried because I know how important the job is,” said Kim, sitting in his office at the committee’s headquarter in central Seoul.

PyeongChang, a small winter sports town in Gangwon Province, was virtually unknown to the outside world when it first made its bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Kim, then the governor of Gangwon Province, began PyeongChang’s campaign in 1999 with the hope of making its name heard in the world. However, he suffered a disappointing defeat in his first attempt and another defeat with his second bid for the 2014 Games.

Kim recalled that the hardest moment throughout PyeongChang’s campaign was when he decided to make its third bid.

“Many were hugely disappointed after our second defeat, and questioned our capability to host the Winter Olympics,” he said with a sigh.

“I was also getting frustrated and stressed out that we would never be able to host the Winter Games,” Kim admitted.

But he made the hardest decision of his life and decided to give another go.

After his third term as Gangwon Province governor, Kim became a special ambassador of the PyeongChang 2018 Bid Committee. And in the end, with his relentless efforts, Kim helped PyeongChang receive full support from the government and the locals as well as the members of the IOC, winning the right to host the 2018 Winter Games.

He acknowledged that his family has been a constant source of motivation for him.

“My family was very supportive of my mission, and my wife, especially, prayed everyday for me,” he said.

Speaking of his role in the PyeongChang committee, Kim described the financial plan as crucial for a successful 2018 Winter Games.

“I want to host the greatest games at the least expense,” he said, noting that his initial goal is to reduce the budget as much as possible to make a profitable event.

Yet, hosting the Olympics, he admitted, costs a lot of money.

“That’s why we need a master plan, a cost-effective game plan,” he added.

Kim pledged on Monday that he would keep the local organizing committee as small as possible.

“I will work here along with only a few essential people in the first stage of our preparation,” he said.

The other important task for PyeongChang, he believes, is to gain support across the country.

“We need concerted efforts not only from the government, but also from companies, foundations and every individual in this country. This is how we can together host a successful Winter Olympics here,” he said.

Listening to his speech and his sketch of the PyeongChang Olympics as he would like to see it in seven years time ― “an unprecedented historical event” ―- it is easy to imagine how difficult his job will be.

Already, he is facing criticism for his approval of the construction of winter sports facilities at the Alpensia Resort in PyeongChang during his time as governor.

He said the multi-billion won resort, the venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, was instrumental in bringing the games here.

Some local activists, however, now criticize him because the winter resort has been operating at a loss since its establishment in 2009.

“I understand it won’t be an easy task, and I know a lot of things have to be done to prepare for the Olympics. But I feel that this is my destiny,” Kim said.

“I told the IOC members that it would be a historical choice to vote for PyeongChang, because it will be the most historical Olympics ever, and I will do my upmost to keep the promise,” he added.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)