PyeongChang irked by venue for anniversary event
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Landscape view of Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangwon Province. / Courtesy of Gangwon Province
By Kim Jae-heun
The Gangwon Provincial Government's decision to hold an event to mark the first anniversary of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in Gangneung is irking residents of the host city.
The nation's first Winter Games took place last February in the rugged, mountainous county of PyeongChang in the eastern part of the country, but all ice events were hosted in Gangneung, the nearby coastal city.
“As more than 10,000 domestic and foreign guests are expected to attend the event, the Gangneung Ice Arena is the preferred place for many reasons such as accommodation,” a local government official said.
The three-day anniversary event is scheduled to take place from Feb. 8 to 10.
In the wake of the decision, PyeongChang immediately protested, holding a rally in front of the local government office in Chuncheon, Friday, participated in by 2,000.
“While there was a lot of support from the central government, Gangwon Province and many cities and counties to successfully host the Winter Olympic Games here, PyeongChang residents' endless support and participation were the biggest driving force,” said a spokesman for the federation of village heads in PyeongChang.
“We denounce Gangwon Province's unilateral decision without consent from the residents of PyeongChang, an act disregarding them.”
PyeongChang's hosting of the Winter Games came after its third bid to host the quadrennial sporting event.
The protestors added that they will participate in the anniversary event wearing mourning clothing if the local government pushes to hold the event in Gangneung.
A number of tourists visited PyeongChang right after the Winter Olympics, but the lack of sightseeing opportunities or attractions linked to the Games failed to continuously bring them to the region.
After the Olympic Games, the main stadium and the Olympic Plaza were torn down out of concerns that they may become white elephants.
“Twenty years of effort, affection and pride as the host city for PyeongChang residents have come around as disappointment and despondency after the sports event ended. But, we waited patiently with high expectations of hosting the one-year anniversary event and furthermore, the Olympic Memorial Museum here,” the federation said.
“However, the local government's decision only gave embarrassment and resentment to all the residents in PyeongChang County. Picking the number of persons to be admitted and the environmental elements to host the one-year anniversary at an auxiliary stadium in Gangneung is adding salt to the wounds.”
During the protest against the decision, the protesters tried to meet Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon, but police stopped them.
Only two representatives of the federation met with Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Jung Man-ho to discuss the matter.
Jung told them that the governor would hold a meeting with PyeongChang residents to discuss the hosting of the anniversary event within a couple of days.