Yoon In-chon: "Heavy Snow at Youth Olympics... There Will Be No Second Jamboree"

"Snow Removal Work Going Smoothly"
"Volunteers Set Up Heating Shelters
Heating Buses Also in Operation"

Regarding concerns that the schedule of the Winter Youth Olympic Games, which opened on the 19th, is being disrupted due to heavy snowfall in Gangwon Province, Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated that snow removal operations are proceeding smoothly and there is no problem. He dismissed worries by saying that preparations for heavy snow and cold waves have been reinforced, so there will be no incidents like the 'second Jamboree.'

On the 22nd, Minister Yoo praised the opening ceremony of the Winter Youth Olympic Games on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' saying, "K-pop and K-culture are attracting global attention, and in that regard, the opening ceremony was of a very high standard." The 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games, marking its 4th edition this year as a youth Olympics, is being held across Gangwon Province with 1,802 athletes from 78 countries participating until the 1st of next month.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

Due to 44cm of heavy snowfall over the weekend centered on the Gangwon Yeongdong region, where the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games are taking place, some event schedules were changed and events were canceled, putting the tournament operations on alert. The men's alpine skiing super-G, originally scheduled to start at noon on the 21st, was delayed by about an hour and held at 1:30 pm due to the heavy snow. On the 20th, the men's and women's normal hill individual ski jumping events at the Pyeongchang Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre were moved up by an hour due to worsening weather. This caused a surge in no-shows among ticket holders who did not appear on the day of the events.

Minister Yoo said, "I was informed this morning that there is no problem with snow removal." He added, "Every morning, staff from the organizing committee and the Ministry of Culture go out to check and communicate. There is no problem." He continued, "The cold weather is concerning. Volunteers and operational staff are mostly outside. Since they are exposed to the cold, tents with heating shelters have been set up, and heating buses are operating in difficult areas. Winter clothing, blankets, and socks are being distributed well."

The Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games attracted attention as the first international event held after last summer's World Scout Jamboree held in Saemangeum, known as the 'Jamboree incident.' At that time, operational shortcomings were criticized as an international embarrassment.

Minister Yoo emphasized that there will be no incidents like the second Jamboree, saying, "This time it is a kind of competition. The athletes' accommodations are very comfortable as they are using dormitories previously used by students of Wonju University in Gangneung. They are also using the condominium at High1 Ski Resort in Jeongseon. There is no major inconvenience in the accommodations." He added, "We have carefully checked multiple times regarding beds and concerns about infectious diseases, and there are no major issues."

Regarding norovirus, which frequently occurs in winter, he said it is being well managed. Minister Yoo stated, "Even the athletes' menus are decided in consultation with the IOC (International Olympic Committee)," and added, "Management is very meticulous. Satisfaction with the athletes' village, facilities, and dining halls is expected to be very high."

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