On Nov 28, Minister YU In Chon attended the “Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour” in Wonju following the event marking 100 days before the competition

 Inspected Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding competition venues in Hoengseong

Minister YU In Chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) once again ignites the flame of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (Gangwon 2024), a sports festival uniting the dreams and challenges of youth worldwide. In celebration of G-50, marking 50 days before the Gangwon 2024 competition (Nov 30), Minister YU attended the Gangwon 2024 Wonju Torch Tour on the afternoon of November 28 (Tue) at Yukminkwan High School in Wonju. This attendance marks Minister YU’s second participation in the Torch Tour, following the commemorative event celebrating 100 days before the competition (G-100) on October 11, where he inaugurated the Torch Tour.

Minister YU, accompanied by the torchbearers comprising students and teachers from Yukminkwan High School, ignited the flame, conveying his heartfelt wish for the competition to evolve into a platform for the dreams and passion of youth.

In attendance at this event are KIM Jin Tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province; CHOI Jong Gu, President of the Organizing Committee for Gangwon 2024; JIN Jong Oh, Co-president of the Organizing Committee; KIM Jae Youl, member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC); and WON Kang Soo, Mayor of Wonju City. They are expected to unite and work collaboratively, ensuring that the competition is successfully hosted.

 The “Torch Tour” travels to 18 cities and counties in Gangwon Province, traversing major cities across the country

The “Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour” operates in a format different from the traditional torch relay, where torchbearers run in a relay. Instead, it follows a “tour” format, featuring a torch lighting ceremony where torchbearers ignite the flame at the lighting stand, along with programs for youth. Commencing from Seoul and visiting Busan, Sejong, Jeju, and Gwangju, the Torch Tour has been touring the 18 cities and counties of Gangwon Province since November 7. In the remaining period, it will visit Goseong County (Nov 29), Inje County (Nov 30), Chuncheon City (Dec 5), Cheorwon County (Dec 12), Samcheok City (Dec 14), Yangyang County (Dec 20), Pyeongchang County (Dec 21), Yanggu County (Dec 22), Taebaek City (Dec 26), and Jeongseon County (Dec 27), concluding with a grand finale in Gangneung City on December 28.

Meanwhile, Minister YU In Chon inspected the competition venues at the Hoengseong Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort, the venue for the “Gangwon 2024” freestyle skiing and snowboarding events, immediately after the conclusion of the Torch Tour event. Accompanied by Governor KIM Jin Tae, President of Organizing Committee CHOI Jong Gu, and Co-president JIN Jong Oh, he received updates on the preparation status from event organizers. Minister YU will personally tour key venues such as the athletes’ lounge, operational staff restaurant, broadcasting control room, and medical room, ensuring everything is in order.

Minister YU In Chon emphasized, “The Youth Olympics is not just a simple sports competition; it’s a festival where sports and culture converge. I hope the young participants, the central figures of the festival, can relish the opportunity to exchange and foster friendships through Gangwon 2024.” He further remarked, “With only 52 days remaining until the competition, being an Olympic event for youth, I hope all stakeholders devote even more meticulous attention to the remaining period of the competition.”