S. Korea, Russia to cooperate on Games

Seoul and Moscow have agreed to boost cooperation to successfully host the next Winter Games in the South Korean city of PyeongChang, the government here said Monday.

The commitment was made during a meeting between South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday in the Russian city of Sochi before the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

Congratulating Russia on taking the top spot in the medal standings, Chung asked for Russia’s “interest in and support for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games,” according to his office.

“I hope we become a successful case where host countries of the Olympics become close friends through close cooperation in the sports field,” Chung added.

In response, the Russian leader said he “expects the PyeongChang Games to be a successful event,” as the city is “ready to be host,” Chung’s office said.

South Korea’s alpine city of PyeongChang won the bid to host the next Winter Olympics in its third try, edging out Munich and Annecy, France.

PyeongChang will be the first South Korean host of the Winter Olympics. Seoul hosted the Summer Olympics in 1988. (Yonhap)