1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, hosted the “Korea PyeongChang Night” event on January 25 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting (Davos Forum).

o The event, held at the InterContinental Davos Hotel, brought together about 300 people, including WEF Executive Director Olivier Schwab, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium Kris Peeters, and Foreign Minister of Mongolia Damdin Tsogtbaatar.

2. In her keynote address, Minister Kang Kyung-wha explained the ROK government’s efforts to successfully hold the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and expressed hope that as the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics served as an opportunity to overcome the Cold War between East and West and promote unity, the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the second Olympics in the ROK, will provide the momentum for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia and around the world by becoming the driving force behind the resumption of inter-Korean talks and North Korea’s participation in the Olympics.

o In his congratulatory remarks, WEF Executive Director Olivier Schwab expected the ROK, one of the countries leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to successfully hold the PyeongChang Winter Olympics by connecting the spirit of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the spirit of the Olympics.

3. The ROK side also promoted the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games among participating high-level officials and businessmen from countries around the world by giving a presentation on what preparations are being made for the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, as well as the characteristics of the Olympics.

4. The event also featured a range of performances promoting the taste, charm and music of Korea. In the opening performance, visually impaired pianist Jang Yoo-kyung collaborated with saengwhang (ancient wind instrument) player Park Ji-ha to celebrate the Paralympic Winter Games. Pianist Lim Dong-hyeok, one of the most outstanding musicians in the ROK, also gave a special performance. The “Korea PyeongChang Night” event successfully concluded with a reception where traditional Korean foods were served.

5. By hosting the “Korea PyeongChang Night,” the ROK government put into full gear promotional activities in final preparations for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics with two weeks to go until the event. The ROK government, along with high-level politicians and businessmen from countries around the world, wished for a successful Winter Olympics that contributes to the peace and prosperity of humanity under the slogan "Passion. Connected."

* unofficial translation