Gangwon to hold events to mark anniversary of PyeongChang Olympics

CHUNCHEON, South Korea, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- The Gangwon provincial government said Monday it plans to hold a variety of events to mark the first anniversary of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics next month.

"'Again PyeongChang' will take place across the province from Feb. 7-17," a government official said.

The main events are an anniversary ceremony in PyeongChang and a cultural festival in Gangneung, a former Olympic sub-host city, the official said.

The ceremony celebrating the anniversary will occur at the main Olympic stadium in PyeongChang on Feb. 9, with cultural performances and a massive K-pop concert at the Ice Arena in Gangneung later that day.

Inter-Korean joint events are also under consideration, the official said, recalling the inter-Korean joint marches at the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang Olympics and the unified women' ice hockey team.

The province has already proposed that North Korea take part in joint taekwondo demonstrations, a joint team for an international women's ice hockey friendship game and an inter-Korean peace concert, the official said, adding, "We're now waiting for the North's reply."

Celebratory events will also be held in other provincial towns, including Jeongseon, Cheorwon and Goseong.

Meanwhile, there has been criticism over the expenditure of 10.8 billion won (US$9.61 million) for the one-time events.

(END)