IN-DEPTH / DIPLOMATIC CHANNEL
Enhance world peace & understanding through Olympics: S.Korean envoy to attend Beijing Games opening
By , Zhao Juecheng, and Lin Luwen Published: Jan 26, 2022 02:17 PM
China is poised to show the world the most cutting-edge scientific technology and excellent Chinese traditional culture through the opening ceremony and the competitions during the Winter Olympics Games, said the South Korea cultural envoy, noting that the grand event should increase global understanding and peace.
"What is important is that sports should be protected from politicization, and world's peace and mutual understanding should be enhanced through the Olympic Games, a human sports festival," Kim Jin-gon, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the ROK in China and Director of the Korean Cultural Centre in China, told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview.
In response to the "political boycott" orchestrated by certain Western countries against the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Kim said "to express a 'diplomatic boycott' of the Olympic Games itself seems to be politicizing the Olympic Games, so our attitude should be as cautious as possible."
Kim visited several Winter Olympic venues in Beijing in 2021, including the Olympic Village, the ski resort, and the sledding venue in Yanqing county, as well as the skating rink in the city of Beijing.
He said that he was impressed by the concept of "Green Olympics" of the 2022 Winter Games. "We learned that the Olympic Organizing Committee pays great attention to the environment and ecology. During the construction of the Olympic Village, the original trees were well preserved between the buildings. The steel facilities used in the 2008 Summer Olympics were reused. The preparations for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics have been very practical, economical, and environmentally friendly," Kim said.
"I believe that the successful hosting of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games could bring hope to people all over the world as well as confidence in international cooperation in order to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Before Beijing, the 2020 Summer Olympic Games and the last Winter Olympic Games were held in Tokyo, Japan and Pyeongchang, South Korea respectively. Kim believes that besides sports, the three Eastern Asian countries have fortified their global influence.
On Tuesday, to mark the 30th anniversary of formation the diplomatic ties and the countdown to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 10 days, a photo exhibition on the Winter Olympics in China and South Korea was opened in both Beijing and Seoul. More than 60 photographic works showing memorable moments from the Pyeongchang 2018 and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are exhibited to wish good luck to the upcoming Olympic event, and strengthen bilateral friendship, the Global Times learned from the Embassy of South Korea on Tuesday.
"What is important is that sports should be protected from politicization, and world's peace and mutual understanding should be enhanced through the Olympic Games, a human sports festival," Kim Jin-gon, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the ROK in China and Director of the Korean Cultural Centre in China, told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview.
In response to the "political boycott" orchestrated by certain Western countries against the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Kim said "to express a 'diplomatic boycott' of the Olympic Games itself seems to be politicizing the Olympic Games, so our attitude should be as cautious as possible."
Kim visited several Winter Olympic venues in Beijing in 2021, including the Olympic Village, the ski resort, and the sledding venue in Yanqing county, as well as the skating rink in the city of Beijing.
He said that he was impressed by the concept of "Green Olympics" of the 2022 Winter Games. "We learned that the Olympic Organizing Committee pays great attention to the environment and ecology. During the construction of the Olympic Village, the original trees were well preserved between the buildings. The steel facilities used in the 2008 Summer Olympics were reused. The preparations for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics have been very practical, economical, and environmentally friendly," Kim said.
"I believe that the successful hosting of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games could bring hope to people all over the world as well as confidence in international cooperation in order to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Before Beijing, the 2020 Summer Olympic Games and the last Winter Olympic Games were held in Tokyo, Japan and Pyeongchang, South Korea respectively. Kim believes that besides sports, the three Eastern Asian countries have fortified their global influence.
Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games Photo: Courtesy of Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Beijing, China
According to Kim, South Korea will send a delegation of about 110 members to attend the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, participating in six of the seven major events. "Our goal is to try to secure two gold medals and rank in the top 15 of the medal standings. I believe that the players will work hard to prepare for the Olympic Games, and will definitely elevate their current state to be the best and work hard until the last moment," he said.On Tuesday, to mark the 30th anniversary of formation the diplomatic ties and the countdown to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 10 days, a photo exhibition on the Winter Olympics in China and South Korea was opened in both Beijing and Seoul. More than 60 photographic works showing memorable moments from the Pyeongchang 2018 and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are exhibited to wish good luck to the upcoming Olympic event, and strengthen bilateral friendship, the Global Times learned from the Embassy of South Korea on Tuesday.
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