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PyeongChang Special Section #3

The Olympics are now in your hands! Go to Korea.net to read more. www.korea.net

New Olympic hero rises in PyeongChang

Korean skeleton champion Yun Sungbin (center) with his gold medal around his neck poses for a commemorative photo with silver and bronze medalists Nikita Treguov (left) of Russia and Don Parsons of the U.K.¸ at the PyeongChang Medal Plaza on Feb. 16. (Jeon Han)

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Medals stack up for Team Korea short track

PyeongChang Medal Plaza fills with joy, passion

President Moon and first lady cheer for short track

Visit PyeongChang with convenient, handy app 01

“It was tough, but thanks to the cheering crowd, ‘I could fight to death, to the end.’”

Kim Magnus, a Korean cross-country skier naturalized from Norway, pants heavily lying on the snow as he crosses the finish line in 45th place among 119 competitors, in the men’s 15 km free cross-country skiing race on Feb. 16. (Yonhap News)

No medal, but we’re the true Olympians!

‘It feels like I’m a gold medalist in spirit!’

Ghanaian skeleton racer Akwasi Frimpong, the first-ever Ghanaian Winter Olympian, enjoys the Olympic vibe with his daughter, greeting the human-size Olympic mascot Soohorang, even after he finished bottom in the third heat of the men’s skeleton competition and failed to advance to the fourth run, in Pyeongchang on Feb. 16. (Yonhap News)

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‘Although bleeding and tripping, I didn’t give up.’

North Korean cross-country skier Ri Young-gum cries before the press after she finishes 89th among 90 athletes in the women’s 10 km free cross-country skiing race on Feb. 15. (Yonhap News)

‘I’m near the bottom, but that’s not that bad.’

German Madrazo of Mexico comes in last among the 116 finishers in the men’s 15 km free cross-country skiing race on Feb. 16. His fellow athletes cheered for him as if he won the gold medal. (Yonhap News)

PyeongChang Special Section #3

Medals stack up for Team Korea short track

Lim Hyojun celebrates after winning the men’s 1,500 m final in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 10. (Yonhap News)

Korea wins 1st gold in short track

by Yoon Sojung

Korea won its first gold medal on Feb. 10 in men’s 1,500 m short track speed skating at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Lim Hyojun won the men’s 1,500 m final with a new Olympic record at the Gangneung Ice Arena, bringing the first gold medal to his country.

With the eight competitors, including Korea’s Hwang Daeheon, Lim began the race with Hwang in the fifth and sixth posts in order to maintain his pace.

When nine laps were left, Lim made his move to the front, which led to a fierce struggle to win the top spot between Hwang and Sjinkie

Knegt from the Netherlands.

Although Hwang could not finish the race, as he fell with only two laps to go, Lim maintained his position and crossed the finish line with a new Olympic record of 2:10.485.

Lim was followed by Knegt and then Semen Elistratov from Russia with times of 2:10.555 and 2:10.687, respectively.

After the race, Lim said in an interview that, “With only one lap left, I couldn’t believe that I was in first place in the race, but I ran as it was do-or-die. This medal is meaningful as it’s the first gold medal for Korea,” he said.

“My coaches and fellow athletes are the ones who led me to the highest step on the podium,” said Lim. arete@korea.kr

Team Korea’s Choi Minjeong rejoices after crossing the finish line in first place at the PyeongChang Olympics women’s short track speed skating 1,500 m race, held at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 17. (Yonhap News)

by Min Yea-Ji and Lee Hana

Team Korea won a gold and a bronze in short track speed skating at the PyeongChang Olympics on Feb. 17, a feat worthy of its reputation as a short track powerhouse.

Choi Minjeong secured a gold in the women’s 1,500 m finals, crossing the finish line at 2:24.948.

The race took place at the Gangneung Ice Arena.

Choi started off the race in the middle of the pack, but picked up pace and sped through the last three laps, outrunning all her competitors. China’s Li Jinyu finished behind Choi at 2:25.703, while Canada’s Kim Boutin placed third, at 2:25.834.

Choi, who won her first Olympic gold at PyeongChang, said that she was feeling a surge of emotion, having achieved a goal she had worked toward for the past four years. “I want to give credit to everyone who supported me on this journey. It’s thanks to them that I was able to perform at my best. I also want to thank the

supporters here today for giving me the strength to reach for my goal,” she said.

In the men’s 1,000 m finals, Team Korea’s Seo Yira earned an invaluable bronze.

Seo, along with PyeongChang 1,500 m gold medalist Lim Hyojun, initially lead the race but right before the last two laps, Seo collided with Hungary’s Shaolin Sandor Liu, who had attempted to overtake the Korean skaters.

Seo, having fallen down, got straight back up and raced to the finish line in third place, behind Canada's Samuel Girard in first, and the U.S.’s John-Henry Krueger in second.

“It’s a shame I fell down, but it was my first ever Olympics, and I'm happy that I got to compete in the first Winter Games hosted by Korea. I did my very best, and so regardless of my result, I want to enjoy the festival,” said Seo. With several medals under its belt, Team Korea will continue its chase in the women’s 1,000 m, men’s 500 m, and women’s 3,000 m relay finals on Feb. 20. jesimin@korea.kr

Korea wins first medal in men’s 1,500 m speed skating

Yun Sungbin starts in the fourth heat of the men’s skeleton competition at the Alpensia Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 16. (Yonhap News)

Korea wins Asia’s first Olympic skeleton gold

by Kim Eun-young and Sohn JiAe

Korean skeleton slider Yun Sungbin, 24, has won the gold medal in the men’s skeleton competition at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. It’s not only his country’s first gold in any sliding event, but is also a first in Asia, as well.

In the final fourth run at the Alpensia Olympic Sliding Center on Feb. 16, the Korean racer crossed the finishing line in 50.02 seconds, breaking another course record of his.

In the previous first, second and third runs, Yun maintained his lead with dominant times of 50.28 seconds, 50.07 seconds and 50.18

seconds, respectively.

With a combined time of 3:20.55, the athlete outdid the other 30 competitors and won by a whopping 1.63 seconds over runner-up Nikita Treguov of Russia.

“In the fourth run, I had points that I liked and didn’t like, but ultimately I put on quite a good performance,” Yun said after the final run. “I’m pleased that I could prove that I performed well on any course at the track.”

He continued to say that, “Winning a gold medal was my goal and, also, the dream that every athlete in sliding Olympic events might have. I feel so good that I became the one that started the dream coming true.” eykim86@korea.kr

Patrick Roest (left), Kjeld Nuis (center) and Kim Min Seok, medalists in the PyeongChang Olympics men’s speed skating 1,500 m final, pose on the Olympic podium holding Soohorang dolls, at the Gangneung Oval on Feb. 13.

(Yonhap News)

by Xu Aiying and Lee Hana

Eighteen-year-old speed skater Kim Min Seok won Team Korea’s first bronze in the men’s 1,500 m final at PyeongChang, becoming the first Asian speed skater to claim a medal in this event.

Kim passed the finish line in 1:44.93 in the men’s 1,500 m final, held at the Gangneung Oval on Feb. 13.

Kim started the first 300 m of the race in the middle of the pack, but picked up his pace in the final 800 m spurt, placing himself in third.

He was just 0.07 seconds behind Patrick Roest (1:44.86) in second place, and 0.92 seconds behind Kjeld Nuis (1:44.01) in first place, both from the Netherlands.

This was a huge accomplishment for Kim, given it was his first race at his first ever Olympics.

The teenager was thrilled to set foot on the Olympic podium.

“I trained hard for the Olympics, especially because the Games would be hosted by Korea. I didn’t expect to win today, and I’m happy with the result,” he said.

“When I crossed the 700 m mark, my legs felt stiff and my breathing got heavier, but I kept going because I heard the cheers of my Korean fans.

That voice was what gave me the strength to cross the finish line,” he added with a grin.

Kim will hit the ice again on Feb. 21 for the men’s team pursuit finals, and on Feb. 24 for the men’s mass start finals. xuaiy@korea.kr 03

Touching, remarkable naturalized Korean athletes

South Korean luger Aileen Frisch poses for a photo with the Taegeukgi national flag at the Alpensia Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 13.(Yonhap News)

by Min Yea-Ji and Yoon Jihye

Crowds at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be able to witness many naturalized South Korean athletes.

At the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, short track speed skater Kong Sang-jeong, a thirdgeneration descendant of Chinese immigrants to Korea, was the only naturalized South Korean athlete. However, this year 19 naturalized players are competing in the Winter Games for Korea, an all-time high. They aren’t only giving remarkable performances in the Games, but they’re also even touching the hearts of – and entertaining – the crowds.

Aileen Frisch and Timofei Lapshin are giving record performances in the history of Korean luge and biathlon, respectively.

The German-born Korean luger Aileen Frisch took seventh place among 30 contestants, with a combined time of 1:32.806 after her first two runs in the women’s singles luge competition at the Alpensia Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 12.

In her third and fourth run on Feb. 13, she showed stable performances and finished eighth, with a combined time of 3:6.400. It was the best finish by a South Korean athlete ever in an Olympic luge competition.

The Russian-born Korean biathelte Timofei

Lapshin clocked a time of 24:22.6 in the 10 km sprint competition and finished 16th among 87 contestants at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, on Feb. 11. He had a high accuracy rate, too, as he missed only one standing shot.

Fans at home and in the stadium are loving the performances of the naturalized Korean athletes, even though they’re competing in the relatively less popular snow and sledding sports.

It was also a naturalized Korean player who succeeded in scoring the team’s very first goal for the joint Korean team and the first ever by a South Korean female ice hockey player on Feb. 14.

The U.S.-born Korean ice hockey player Randi Griffin scored the historic goal against Japan in the Group B game of the women’s hockey tournament at the Kwandong Hockey Center in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 14.

The North Korean cheering squad and fans at the stadium erupted into cheers. The joint North-South team hugged one another and shared the moment of historic joy.

Randi Griffin said in a press conference after the match that, “It was a very lucky goal. The final result itself is disappointing, but I'm proud of what we have shown today. I'm satisfied with the result.”

There were also some naturalized Korean players who were loved by the audience, regardless of their results.

South Korean ice dance duo Min Yu-ra (left) and Alexander Gamelin hold their hands in the shape of a heart while waiting for their results in the ice dance team figure skating event at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 11.

The U.S.-born figure skater Alexander Gamelin didn't lose his composure and carried on to finish the performance with a smile on his face when his partner Min Yu-ra’s costume slipped off during the ice dance team figure skating event at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, Gangwondo Province, on Feb. 11.

The duo finished only in ninth place among 10 teams, with 51.97 points, but received warm support from the fans in their home country and also from the foreign press.

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NBC said in its special PyeongChang Olympic page that, “Five seconds into your Olympic debut, you suffer a wardrobe malfunction. What do you do? Keep your shoulders back and keep smiling.

That’s exactly what happened to South Korean ice dancers Min Yu-ra and Alexander Gamelin during their performance in Sunday’s team event.” The New York Times introduced the figure skating pair by saying that, “Min Yu-ra and her ice dancing partner Alexander Gamelin had to overcome obstacles to make it to the Olympics.” jesimin@korea.kr

PyeongChang Medal Plaza fills with joy, passion

Norwegian fans call out the name of their champion, Johannes Thingnes Boe, as he receives his medal in the men’s biathlon 20 km individual event at the PyeongChang Olympic Plaza on Feb. 16. Boe finished in 48 m 3.8 s on Feb. 15 and won his first Olympic gold medal. (Jeon Han)

The winners of the men’s luge doubles at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games hold up their medals during their medal ceremony at the PyeongChang Medal Plaza on Feb. 16. (Jeon Han)

by Korea.net PyeongChang Olympics Team Gangneung | Feb. 16, 2018

The winter sports fans, armored with their national flags, face paintings and other costumes, expressed ardent support for their athletes as they stood on the podium with the medal around their necks.

As the highlight of the evening, the medal ceremony for the men’s skeleton champions, began, the crowd simultaneously raised up high its cameras and mobile phones to take a shot of Yun Sungbin and to celebrate Korea’s first sliding Olympic champion.

“It’s so great to watch Yun Sungbin’s medal ceremony myself that I don’t feel sorry for having missed out on the family reunion for the Seollal Lunar New Year’s Day anymore,” said Kim Bo-hyun, one of the volunteer workers at the Gangneung Olympic Village. “I hope for the best for all the athletes competing in the Winter Games.” sehp91@korea.kr

The medal plaza at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games was full of Olympic fever on Feb. 16, the day Yun Sungbin became the skeleton champion.

As early as two hours prior to the medal ceremony, international fans gathered at the PyeongChang Medal Plaza, despite the freezing wind.

The crowd gave a loud cheers as winners of the luge team relay, the biathlon men’s 20 km individual, the women’s biathlon 15k m individual, the luge men’s doubles, the men’s speed skating 10,000 m, the men’s cross-country skiing 15 km and the men’s skeleton events were presented with the medals they earned.

Seollal Lunar New Year’s custom wows visiting media

Residents from 21 villages in Gangneung bow to their village leaders on Feb. 17, a day after Seollal Lunar New Year’s Day, at the Joseon-era Gangneung Local Government Offices, now a historical site. This is a traditional custom practiced across the region. (Jeon Han)

Eurosport journalist Barcosz Zanus from Poland films the traditional nongak farmers’ music performance in Gangneung on Feb. 17. (Jeon Han)

by Korea.net PyeongChang Olympics Team Gangneung | Feb. 17, 2018

Winter Olympics, as well as athletes and coaches of participating countries, and overseas tourists as well.

One of such was Jan Van Kerkhof, father of Yara Van Kerkhof from the Netherlands who won the silver medal in the women’s short track 500 m speed skating event at the Winter Olympics. He said, “The ceremony is beautiful. It shows all the respect for history, the elderly and for each other.”

Mike Granato from the U.S. said he dropped by the venue after he heard the traditional music while traveling by in a taxi.

Granato said he learned about the event from a volunteer interpreter. He said, “The tradition of bowing to respect the elderly is very new to me.”

Jason Hopley, a producer at CBC Kids of Canada, said he came to the site to introduce to Canadian children aspects of traditional Korea that show outward respect for seniors.

Other international media outlets that covered the event included NBC, the official Olympic broadcaster of the U.S., and Eurosport. They covered the complete event, including the parade that brought the elderly from the nearby village to the venue, and the formal bow itself. kyd1991@korea.kr

“We saw Korean traditions first-hand, which respects the elderly.”

So said foreign press and overseas tourists visiting Korea after observing a traditional group bow for the Seollal Lunar New Year’s, in Gangneung-si City on Feb. 17.

It was a day after Seollal Lunar New Year’s Day and also still during the ongoing Winter Olympics, the largest winter festival for all the people around the globe.

The Imyeong Daedongdo Baerye is a Seollal Lunar New Year’s bow in Gangneung that has a history of more than 400 years. This year’s group bow took place at the Gangneung Daedohobu, the former local Gangneung Government Offices from Joseon times.

People flocked to the venue more than one hour ago before the event and enjoyed joyful performances of traditional nongak farmers’ music.

This year’s group bow attracted foreign journalists who are visiting Korea to cover the

PyeongChang Special Section #3

[Olympic messages]

Congratulatory message from New Zealand Chargé d’Affaires Roy Ferguson

North Korean cheering squad performs in Gangneung

A North Korean brass band and cheering squad, currently visiting South Korea to mark the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, performs at the Live Site at the Gangneung Olympic Park on Feb. 15. (Jeon Han) Left: New Zealand Charge d’Affaires Roy Ferguson / Right: Members of the New Zealand embassy and New

Zealand Charge d’Affaires Roy Ferguson (right) pose for photos on Feb. 6 during the welcoming ceremony at the Olympic Athletes Vilage in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province (The New Zealand Embassy to Korea)

New Zealand Chargé d’Affaires Roy Ferguson C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o t h e O rg a n i z i n g Committee, to the government and to the people of the Republic of Korea on hosting the 23rd Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province.

Winter sports athletes from all around the world have gathered in Pyeongchang in the Olympic spirit of peaceful competition. The Winter Olympics are an opportunity for all nations to gather in the unity of sport, fair play and excellence. The Opening Ceremony was magnificent.

New Zealand has sent its largest-ever Winter Games team to Pyeongchang this year, competing in the disciplines of alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, skeleton, snowboard and speed skating. I’m certain that the Kiwi athletes will thoroughly enjoy their time in Pyengchang and we are proud of each member of the New Zealand team. They have certainly earned the fern!

I have the huge privilege of joining many others from all around the world in supporting and enjoying this winter sports event. Congratulations, Korea! Best wishes for the Winter Olympics, and best wishes for a successful Lunar New Year, too.

Inter-Korean ice hockey team scores first Olympic goal

by Korea.net PyeongChang Olympics Team Gangneung | Feb. 15, 2018

A North Korean brass band and cheering squad entertained Olympic fans from around the globe when it performed its first song, “Bangapseumnida,” or “Nice to See You” in Korean (반갑습니다 ).

On Feb. 15, the North Korean cheerleaders and band gave a special performance at the outdoor “Live Site” venue at the Gangneung Olympic Park. The performance reminded the audience that the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games are truly “Peace Olympics.”

Olympic fans flocked to the site more than 30 minutes before the start of the show and the venue was soon packed with many people. Many of them had strong expectations and were quite excited that they could actually see the North Korean cheerleaders and band.

The North Korean cheering squad and the brass band were warmly welcomed when they appeared on the stage. They firstly performed the wellknown North Korean song “Bangapseumnida” and then the popular Korean folk song “Arirang,”

which added to the amusement of the audience.

They performed a medley of various songs, including Korean folk songs and songs from film sound tracks, for about 30 minutes.

“It was an opportunity to see that we are one, which is so meaningful. I feel that it ought to be recorded in world history,” said Ju Yong-geuk from Yangju, Gyeonggi-do Province, who came to the spot to watch some curling. “It felt like we got one step closer to unification.”

“It really made me feel like I was at the site of the Peace Olympics, where hope for reunification on the Korean Peninsula was really gathered,” said Moon Gyeong-ryang from Seoul, who broadcast the performance live on social media. “It was so touching to sing along to the notes of ‘Arirang.’ ” The impression of non-Korean fans at the performance was not very different.

“I’m very pleased that they came and that they’ve been welcomed by South Korea and the whole world,” said James Kent from the U.K. Alisa Monroe, also from the U.K. said that being at the scene of North Korean people performing in Gangneung, one of the host cities for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, was “surreal.” ysk1111@korea.kr

Olympic Spirit to bring peace to Korean Peninsula: IOC chief

Randi Heesoo Griffin (second from right), a U.S.-born forward on the inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team, celebrates her first Olympic goal with her teammates in the third match in Group B against Japan, at the Kwandong Hockey Center in Gangneung on Feb. 14. (Yonhap News)

by Lee Kyoung Mi and Sohn JiAe

The inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team scored its first historic Olympic goal in its third match in Group B against Japan, which ended with its loss.

On Feb. 14 at the Kwandong Hockey Center in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, the NorthSouth Korean team achieved an Olympic goal at 9:31 in the second period.

With the joint team two points behind, the U.S.-born and naturalized Korean forward Randi Heesoo Griffin scored the team’s first and only Olympic goal, shooting the puck into the back of the net after being set up with a perfect assist from Park Yoon-jung.

After the goal, the South and North Korean athletes rejoiced, embracing each other in joy.

The cheering sound of the inter-Korean crows, chanting, “We are one,” and waving the unified Korea flag, amplified with a big round of applause.

With an energized offense, the inter-Korean team attempted more shots on goal, but a sound Japanese defense didn’t let any of them go in.

The team conceded two more goals in the third period and was beaten by Japan 4-1 (2-0, 1-0, 2-0).

“The team showed its best performance today in the Olympic Games,” said coach Sarah Murray following the match. “When they might want to give up, with already two goals behind after just five minutes into the first period, they never gave up and continued, of which I’m so proud. The South and North Korean athletes proved to be one united team.”

The unified team is scheduled to have play-off matches starting on Feb. 18 to determine fifth to eighth places. km137426@korea.kr

IOC member Ryu Seung Min (left), IOC President Thomas Bach (center) and President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee Lee Kee-Heung pose for a photo at a soiree hosted by Korea House, in Gangneung on Feb. 13.

(Korean Sport & Olympic Committee)

by Kang Gahui and Lee Hana

At a soiree hosted by Korea House in Gangneung on Feb. 13, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach praised the PyeongChang Olympics Opening Ceremony and the strong message it sent to the world.

“All of you here should be proud of PyeongChang’s successful opening. You deserve to enjoy yourselves tonight,” he said.

Bach recalled how the joint entrance of the two Koreas, and the inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team, moved audiences around the world. “All of these factors that demonstrate

the Olympic spirit will surely bring peace to the Korean Peninsula,” he said.

In addition to Bach, the soiree was attended by over 180 guests, including PyeongChang Organizing Committee President Lee Hee-beom, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jongwhan, Chair of the IOC Ethics Commission Ban Ki-moon, and President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee Lee Kee-Heung.

All those in attendance congratulated the PyeongChang organizers for successfully launching the Winter Games.

Minister Do raised a toast to PyeongChang, noting how pyeong means peace and that chang means prosperity. kgh89@korea.kr 05

President Moon and first lady cheer for short track

[ Peace in PyeongChang ]

Police agency prepares for public security, terrorism

President Moon Jae-in (left) and first lady Kim Jung-sook cheer for Choi Minjeong after she crosses the finish line in first place in the PyeongChang Olympics women's short track speed skating 1,500 m race, at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 17. (Cheong Wa Dae)

by Lee Hana

President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook cheered for Team Korea’s short track speed skaters at the Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 17.

The couple was seen sitting in the stands watching the women’s 1,500 m and men’s 1,000 m quarter and semifinals, all the way through to the final match.

When Shim Sukhee, one of the strongest gold medal favorites, fell during the women’s 1,500 m first heat, the president and the first lady let out cries of despair. The couple applauded Shim when she got back up to finish the race, even though she missed a ticket to the semifinals.

Luckily, Shim’s teammates Kim Alang and Choi Minjeong both finished their qualifiers in the number one spot, and the presidential couple

joyfully waved their hands in the air.

Next came the first men’s 1,000 m quarterfinal, a race that included three Korean speed skaters: Seo Yira, Lim Hyojun and Hwang Daeheon. When only Seo and Lim qualified for the semifinals, President Moon expressed his regret, saying, “What a shame to have to leave one behind, when all three are medal hopefuls.”

Once the women’s 1,500 m final began, the cheers roared louder than ever for Choi Minjeong and Kim Alang. When Choi sped through the final lap to claim her gold, the president and first lady leapt up in celebration.

Finally, when Seo Yira, despite a collision and a fall, won the bronze in the men’s 1,000 m race, the presidential couple was thrilled, as were all the fans in the stands.

“Let’s stay until the flower ceremony,” said President Moon to the first lady, beaming with pride. hlee10@korea.kr

President Moon meets Norwegian prime minister

Director General Kim Gyo-tae of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Police Task Force explains the role that his team is playing in preparing for a safe Olympics, in an interview at his Seoul offices on Nov. 14, 2017. (Jeon Han)

by Kim Ji Hoe and Sohn JiAe Seoul l Nov. 14, 2017

“The national police guarantees your safety during the PyeongChang Olympic Games.”

Kim Gyo-tae, director general of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Police Task Force, part of the Korean National Police Agency, assured the world that there would be full security during the PyeongChang Winter Games.

The National Police Agency launched its Olympic task force on Jan. 24, 2017, about one year from the Games, with the aim of establishing a structure to supervise security and safety and to prevent any act of terrorism that might occur during the Games.

In a sit-down interview with Korea.net in his Seoul office in Jung-gu District on Nov. 14, 2017, Director Kim stressed that, “Korea is a terrorismfree nation. In case any type of terrorist attack takes place, the police forces here are pulling out all stops to prevent any possible terrorist attack or any act of mass violence that may take place here using vehicles, cameras, chemical, biological and radiation safety measures, drones and other techniques. We won’t allow even a 1 percent chance of anything bad happening.”

Tell us about why the PyeongChang police task force was launched.

President Moon Jae-in (right) shakes hands with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg before their summit at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 15. (Cheong Wa Dae)

The team is comprised of a select group of 15 members, led by a deputy commissioner -- me -- and is in charge of supervising, adjusting and supporting the Games. Believing strongly that “the core of the success of the Olympic Games lies in safety, in particular, the prevention of any act of terrorism,” the special team does everything it can to provide the best security and counter-terrorism activities.

Tell us more about what role the team plays.

by Sohn JiAe and Yoon Jihye

President Moon Jae-in held a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, currently in Korea for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, on Feb. 15 and discussed ways to bolster cooperation on the Olympic Games and state of affairs on the Korean Peninsula.

President Moon expressed gratitude for the Norwegian royal family’s visit to the PyeongChang Olympic Games, including Prime Minister Erna Solberg and Prince Haakon Manus, and said that, “Norway’s active involvement and support is boosting the Korean government’s efforts to make the PyeongChang Olympics into a festival for peace and harmony 06

for all mankind around the globe.” President Moon also wished all the best for the Norwegian athletes, who are currently ranked second in terms of overall medals. Prime Minister Solberg said, “The PyeongChang Winter Games will surely be Olympics of Peace, contributing to harmony and reconciliation for all mankind.”

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation on shipbuilding, renewable energy, the defense industry, IT, fisheries industry and climate change, as well.

President Moon said that Seoul and Oslo have been steadily developing close, mutually beneficial ties for 59 years, ever since 1959.

Prime Minister Solberg suggested that President Moon visit Norway next year when the diplomatic ties between the two countries mark 60 years. jiae5853@korea.kr

In an effort to prevent any possible act of terrorism, our team is joining forces with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), especially concerning information gathering. We also plan to launch an International Police Cooperation Center (unofficial title) to which police forces from around the world will be invited to share their knowhow and information on how to respond to and prevent terrorist attacks.

During the Olympic period, we are putting in place counter-terrorism equipment and, also, dispatching special forces to venues that can rapidly respond to any crime, including by ski or snowmobile.

Does the agency offer security services to non-Korean athletes and visitors, too?

To relieve any difficulties that they may face in communicating, we are assigning mounted police and tourist police who are bilingual to Olympic

venues and to sightseeing areas.

In particular, tourist police are quite handy as it’s easy to find them with their badges that indicate which language they speak. They will also make sure that the translation apps Papago and Genietalk are set up, through which they’ll be able to communicate in other languages, too.

A traffic management center will be set up, too, to relieve traffic congestion, while a police service center and a lost & found will help them find lost children or belongings through a translation service.

What’s the difference between this year’s PyeongChang task force and previous Olympic special security teams?

The PyeongChang team has mapped a set of counter-terrorism measures based on modern knowhow and experiences that we’ve accumulated at previous international sporting events. We’re using some of the best state-of-the-art tech in the world, befitting our title as a world IT power, to make the sporting festival a “smart” Olympic Games. We’ve switched the paradigm of security measures from being manpower-driven to being highly-advanced-equipment-and-tech-driven.

What do you think about the current state of security in the Olympic host cities in Pyeongchang-gun County and in Gangneungsi?

The host cities are quite stable, security-wise, with low crime rates, even though both are some of the nation’s representative tourist spots.

Throughout the Olympic Games, however, we are increasing patrol activities, especially in areas home to bars and clubs, just in case, all while designating special security areas to keep the cities safe.

Despite a higher security presence, concerns exist due to the proximity to North Korea and due to more common global terrorist attacks.

The government is trying its best to address any type of security issue quite aggressively.

Korea is best-known for its high standards of safety and security. The police forces are backing efforts to make the PyeongChang Olympic Games successful by working closely with government bodies.

Any final words before we finish, for Olympic fans around the world?

Like I said, Korea is the best country in the world in terms of personal security.

We’re doing our best to help visitors from around the world enjoy the Olympic Games safely and securely.

If you face any trouble at all, please call 112.

Don't worry, because there’s a bilingual receiver on the line. Then you’ll have police forces rapidly respond to your needs, anytime and anywhere. jiae5853@korea.kr

PyeongChang Special Section #3

Visit PyeongChang with convenient, handy app

[ Korean recipes for PyeongChang 2018 ]

Simple japchae stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables

by Yoon Sojung In cooperation with the Institute of Traditional Korean Food

The official ‘Go PyeongChang’ mobile app for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games helps visitors to reach Olympic venues in the fastest and easiest manner possible. (captured image from the app)

by Hur SomEe and Sohn JiAe

A mobile app is now on hand that offers the fastest and easiest way to get to PyeongChang Olympic venues in Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon, the three host cities in Gangwon-do Province.

The official “Go PyeongChang” app for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games gives the distance, transportation options (bus, train or taxi), expected travel time and likely cost of your trip, from where ever you are to your Olympic venue of choice.

For example, if you type in “Seoul Station” in the search engine as your starting point, choose the “Alpensia Biathlon Center” image on the front page, and touch “Go,” you’ll get the fastest route to the biathlon venue. The app suggests that you take a KTX train to Jinbu Station in Pyeongchang and then get on the No. TS-04 Olympic shuttle bus that’s available for free. It also shows a fare of KRW 21,900 and a travel time of around 2 h 28 m.

One of the best functions that this app has is the “Find a Stop Near Me” feature. The location-based service allows app users to find the nearest shuttle

Delicacies of highway rest stops

by Lee Kyoung Mi and Yoon Jihye

While the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the world's biggest winter Olympic sporting festival, are in full swing in Korea right now, the Seollal Lunar New Year’s holiday starts on Thursday, Feb. 15.

As this season is a good opportunity to enjoy both the Seollal holidays and the Olympic Games, it’s likely that more people will be using the highways this year.

The Korea Expressway Corporation has announced a list of 20 famous dishes that are available at highway rest stops in January, hoping to introduce some local delicacies to those who will be visiting Gangwon-do Province, where the Winter Games are taking

bus stop. With the expected time of a bus arrival on display, too, users don’t need to wait shivering in the cold too long.

For those who drive to Olympic venues, they can use this app to check designated parking areas before they hop on a shuttle bus. There are four in Pyeongchang and Jeongseon, and three in Gangneung. Keep in mind that traffic is blocked in most areas around the host cities.

Touch the circular icon in the bottom of the app and you open the “My Ticket” feature. You scan the QR code on your physical Olympic ticket, and then the app will automatically read the code and suggest the best way to find your destination.

The app has so far garnered quite good reviews from users. One user named Kim Si-hyun wrote, “I was curious how I could get to the Olympic venue by public transportation. This app guided me in a very simple and clear manner. I like it.” Another user named Jo Young-ki said, “This app is so convenient and handy. I can get everything about the schedule of the Olympic games, as well as the way to reach Olympic venues. I think I’ll continue to use the app after the Olympic Games!” sehp91@korea.krr

place, and to those who will be traveling to other cities during the holiday.

Japchae is stir-fried glass noodles with sautéed vegetables. It’s a very familiar and friendly dish for non-Koreans.

Japchae used to be served at banquets or as a holiday feast. It was enjoyed in the royal Joseon court, too. Today, diners can enjoy various tastes in the dish, as different ingredients can create different flavors.

The recipe for simple japchae, one of the government’s 10 selected recipes, was developed in order to maintain the taste and texture of the ingredients so that one can enjoy it more easily.

Director Yoon Sook-ja of the Institute of Traditional Korean Food said that, “The name ‘simple japchae’ implies that the recipe and preparation of the ingredients is easy and it’s

The recipe for simple japchae is an improved version of the traditional stir-fried noodle and vegetables dish.

Recommended by six government organizations, including the Korean Food Promotion Institute, this new recipe allows people to enjoy the dish any time and any place. (Jeon Han)

easy to eat.”

“Thanks to the marinade made with unrefined and brown sugar used to stir-fry the noodles, the noodles don’t get soggy. The marinade makes the noodles shiny instead.

If you add other vegetables instead of meat, vegetarians can also enjoy the dish,” Yoon said. arete@korea.kr

Recipe for simple japchae stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables burdock 80g Marinade for burdock: water 1 cup (200g), soy sauce 1 tablespoon (18g), sugar 0.5 tablespoons (6g)

The main ingredients in simple japchae are glass noodles, unrefined sugar, brown sugar, soy sauce, carrots, onions and burdock. (Jeon Han)

Ingredients (four servings)

Glass noodles 100g, water 4 cups (to boil the glass noodles) Marinade for glass noodles: Unrefined sugar 1 tablespoon (12g), brown sugar 1 tablespoon (12g), soy sauce 2 tablespoons (36g), cooking oil 2 tablespoons (26g) shredded carrots 80g, sliced onions 100g, salt 0.5 teaspoons (2g), chives 20g, cooking oil 1 tablespoon (13g)

Gangneung, Hoengseong Rest Stops, on the way to Gangneung Along the Yeongdong Expressway that connects Incheon and Gangneung is the Gangneung Rest Stop where you can enjoy some hwangtae pollack soup with chodang soft tofu. The tofu, made after curdling the soy milk from the soy beans with seawater, and the yellowish hwangtae pollack freeze-dried on wooden racks in Daegwallyeong, make for a good combination and develop fresh and neat flavors.

At the Hoengseong Rest Stop, there’s also a beef steak available that’s made with minced rice cake and deodeok herbal roots.

or the Geoncheon Rest Stop, don’t miss the yukgaejang spicy chicken soup. It’s made with all kinds of medicinal herbs and is deep in flavor. Also, the dolsot bibimbap, or mixed rice with vegetables and meat in a hot stone bowl, adds to the flavors with freshly cooked vegetables.

If you drive along the Jungang Expressway, don’t forget to drop by the Andong Rest Stop or the Danyang Rest Stop.

A set meal served with salted whole grilled mackerel at the Andong Rest Stop tastes like absolute perfection. The mackerel is salted by the master Lee Dong-sam who’s specialized in salting fish. At the Danyang Rest Stop, a soft tofu and seafood stew made with freshwater shrimp and seafood is quite popular, and the soup provides deep, fresh flavors.

Manghyang Geoncheon, Andong, Danyang Rest Stops, on the way to Busan The Gyeongbu Expressway between Seoul and the southern port city of Busan, and the Jungang Expressway between Chuncheon in Gangwon-do Province and Busan, also offer some special dishes to holiday travelers.

If you stop at the Manghyang Rest Stop

Insam Land Rest Stop, on the way to Tongyeong or Hanam The Insam Land Rest Stop lies along the Tongyeong-Daejeon Expressway, which traverses Jeollabuk-do Province and Chungcheongnam-do Province, with Tongyeong in Gyeongsangnam-do in its middle.

Instructions 1. Put the glass noodles into boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain and rinse with cold water.

2. Put salt on the shredded carrots and sliced onions and stir fry. Chop the chives into 5 cm lengths. Wash the burdock. Peel it and slice it into pieces each about 5 cm long and 0.3 cm thick. Simmer over a medium heat with the marinade for 10 minutes.

3. Put all the ingredients for the marinade over some heat, and stir-fry the glass noodles until they are dry. Let them cool down.

4. Mix the prepared vegetables and glass noodles together and divide into single-serving portions. Wrap any extra with parchment paper and store in the refrigerator.

5. Reheat each portion in the microwave or steamer before serving.

As you can guess from the name of the rest stop, visitors will be able to find menu items made with ginseng. Recommended dishes are ginseng stone pot mixed rice at the rest stop along the way to Tongyeong. It’s highly nutritional. Also, the ginseng galbitang beef rib soup at the rest stop along the way to Hanam is made after boiling ginseng and beef ribs together for many hours. km137426@korea.kr

At the Hoengseong Rest Stop along the Yeongdong Expressway, you can taste some delicious hwangtae pollack soup with chodang soft tofu (left) and a beef steak minced with rice cake and deodeok root.(Korea Expressway Corporation)

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PyeongChang Special Section #3

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