[OLY] N.Korean IOC member positive about co-hosting Asian Winter Games: Yonhap

By Lim Chang-won Posted : February 20, 2018, 14:43 Updated : February 20, 2018, 14:43

[Photo by Namgung Jin-ung = timeid@ajunews.com]


SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Aju News) -- Chang Ung, the North Korean member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said Tuesday that it is "possible" for the two Koreas to jointly hold the 2021 Asian Winter Games.

Chang also said that if that happens, the Masikryong Ski Resort on the outskirts of the North's eastern city of Wonsan could be used as one of the venues. He made the remarks days after Governo Choi Moon-soon of South Korea's Gangwon Province said Saturday that he is considering a bid to co-host the Asian Games with North Korea and that the North's ski resort could be used. Gangwon Province is the location of the February 9-25 Pyeongchang Olympics, currently under way.

In reference to co-hosting of the Asian Games, Chang told Yonhap News Agency in Beijing while he waited to board a plane bound for Pyongyang, "It is sufficiently possible. ... Since a smaller number of countries participates in the Asian Games, it would be easier than the Olympics." He added, "The Masikryong Ski Resort could be used."

The 79-year-old attended the PyeongChang Olympics and left for Pyongyang days before the Games end on Sunday, citing health reasons. The Asian Winter Games is an international multi-sport event held every four years for members of the Olympic Council of Asia. The host of the 2021 event will be decided at the 2018 Asian Summer Games hosted by the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang in August.
(Yonhap)
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기