Yoon's Speech at ANOC, the 'UN General Assembly of Sports'... Emphasizing 'Freedom and Solidarity' in Sportsmanship

South Korean President's 3rd ANOC Keynote Speech
"Serious Threats to World Peace... Resolution Through International Solidarity Based on Olympic Spirit"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 19th, President Yoon Suk-yeol urged the international community to reflect on the value and meaning of the Olympics and to provide considerable interest and support so that the spirit of freedom and solidarity through sports can continue.

In his keynote speech at the 26th Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly, held that morning at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, President Yoon stated, "The spirit of freedom and solidarity pursued by the Government of the Republic of Korea is by no means different from the Olympic spirit," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that the spirit of freedom and solidarity permeates the entire sports sector and contribute to the international community through sports."

This marks the third time a President of the Republic of Korea has delivered a keynote speech at the ANOC General Assembly, often called the UN General Assembly of the international sports world, following former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan in 1986 and Roh Moo-hyun in 2006. The assembly was attended by over 1,300 participants from 206 countries, including IOC officials such as Chairman Thomas Bach and Ethics Committee Chair Ban Ki-moon, as well as about 250 ANOC executive and committee members.

First, President Yoon criticized the current reality where international solidarity and world peace are being violated, emphasizing the need for the Olympic spirit. He said, "The various threats to world peace currently faced by the international community are serious. However, I believe these can be resolved through international solidarity based on our Olympic spirit. We must overcome these challenges with the Olympic spirit of promoting human progress and world peace."

He also referred to Korea’s history of delivering messages of peace and harmony to the international community through the successful hosting of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, pledging to uphold Olympic values. President Yoon stated, "Our people deeply remember the inspiration from those times when we approached the Olympic ideals of human perfection through sports and the promotion of world peace, and we are very proud to have contributed to the Olympic spirit. The Government of the Republic of Korea systematically preserves and utilizes the tangible and intangible Olympic legacies left by the Seoul and Pyeongchang Olympics, remembering and practicing the Olympic spirit and values."

He also emphasized the government’s efforts for the successful hosting of the 2024 Youth Winter Olympics. President Yoon said, "Based on these valuable experiences, the Republic of Korea is now preparing for the Olympics for future generations. The 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics, to be held in Korea in January 2024, will be a venue for promoting world peace and global harmony through sports by sharing the Olympic spirit with youth."

However, President Yoon did not mention the Seoul city government's bid for the 2036 Seoul Olympics. The Presidential Office recently drew a line on the 2036 Seoul Olympic bid, stating that public consensus and feasibility verification are necessary and that no review has been conducted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.