By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak encouraged leaders of the country's bidding committee for the 2018 Winter Olympics Friday, saying the administration will provide all possible support to PyeongChang to help it become the host city.

Lee visited the winter sports facilities in the mountainous resort city, located 180 kilometers east of Seoul, and met with athletes and coaches.

The bidding committee, co-chaired by Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho and Gangwon Province Governor Kim Jin-sun, recently asked the government to reinstate former Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee as an IOC member to ensure a successful bid.

Chairman Lee voluntarily suspended his IOC activities following his conviction in 2008 for involvement in tax evasion and breach of trust.

Governor Kim said President Lee's visit to PyeongChang shows his willingness to push for the hosting of the Winter Olympics as a national project.

"Gangwon has overcome many difficulties in launching the bidding committee. We need full government support to win the hosting rights," Kim said.

In late September, the Korean Olympic Committee submitted to the IOC an official bid for PyeongChang to host the 2018 Olympics. Germany's Munich and France's Annecy have also submitted bids.

A vote to name the host city will take place in July 2011 at the IOC's General Assembly to be held in Durban, South Africa. It is PyeongChang's third bid after losing to Vancouver of Canada and Sochi of Russia.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr