- On November 7, JANG visited Hoengseong and Pyeongchang, encouraging Gangwon 2024 athletes and Organising Committee

On November 7 (Tue), JANG Mi Ran, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited the sites in Pyeongchang and Hoengseong, two of the four cities in Gangwon Province chosen to host the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (Gangwon 2024), to inspect the upgraded facilities. With only 73 days remaining until Gangwon 2024 begins, scheduled for January 19 to February 1, Second Vice Minister JANG meticulously assessed the facilities.

In the morning, she visited the Welli Hilli Park Resort in Hoengseong, the venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding competitions. Here, she examined the preparations, including an inspection of the competition sites and accommodation facilities. Moreover, she encouraged the members of the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (YOGOC) to provide strong support until the end of the competition, emphasizing the importance of considering the well-being of athletes and volunteers.

In addition, Second Vice Minister JANG met with potential participants in the upcoming event, including bobsledders CHOI Si Yeon and SO Jae Hwan, as well as skeleton athletes KIM Ye Rim, CHUNG Ye Eun, and SHIN Yeon Su. She advised them on the significance of participating in South Korea’s first-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games and encouraged them to give their best performance while prioritizing safety and embracing the festive atmosphere.

In the afternoon, her inspection continued at the Alpensia Olympic Sliding Centre and Biathlon Centre in Pyeongchang to assess the readiness of these facilities. She directed the members of the YOGOC to conduct comprehensive pre-checks to ensure the safe use of facilities and equipment, especially in cold weather conditions. JANG also conveyed her best wishes for the success of the event and offered words of encouragement to the athletes and coaches as they prepared for the competition.