YES PyeongChang 2014

The Olympic Charter says, "Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind." The Games are meant to be a realization of that philosophy, with the athletes playing the leading role. Ensuring an atmosphere, environment and facilities in which the athletes can do their very best, both mentally and physically is a fundamental requisite for the host.

The Olympic Family could not ask for better geographical conditions than those of PyeongChang: Our beautiful highlands face a breathtaking seascape yet are at an average of 700 meters above sea level, an ideal altitude for human activity. All of the host sites are within one hour of each other along expressways and the Gangwon Winter Sports Belt is flanked east and west by cities with a population of 300,000. All facilities boast cutting-edge technology.

It is no accident that the Gangwon Winter Sports Belt is so perfectly suited for winter sports competitions. In fact, it is the result of many long years of planning and preparation.

Climatic conditions make much of Asia unsuitable for skiing and other winter pastimes, but PyeongChang has been at the heart of a rapid growth in popularity of winter sports in the region. In the last five years, there has been an explosive increase in the number of skiers coming to The Gangwon Winter Sports Belt from Southeast Asia. In the 2001 - 2002 season a total of 300,000 came, and this figure is expected to reach 500,000 during the 2002 - 2003 season. This demonstrates a growing enthusiasm for winter sports in Asia. Holding the Winter Games in PyeongChang in 2010 would provide Asia's three billion people with a wonderful opportunity to experience and expand their following for winter sports.

It is our goal to provide a new impetus to the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Winter Games by using the PyeongChang Games as a unique platform to further increase the popularity of winter sports in Asia. The Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang would open a new window of opportunity for the Olympic Movement, reaching many more of the three billion people in the increasingly affluent Asian region. Our financial and infrastructure plans are focused on creating facilities which are not only perfect for an Olympic Games but are practical for future development of winter sports in Asia.

Korea is the world's only divided country and Gangwon-do, where PyeongChang is located, straddles Korea's demilitarized zone, making it the only divided province. During the Cold War, Gangwon-do was a symbol of division but today is becoming a focus for reconciliation and reunion. The North and the South have at last reopened some connecting sea and air routes, and reconnection of railway and road links is in the offing. PyeongChang in 2014 would ensure a special focus on the Olympic ideals of peace and respect for humanity.

We believe the IOC shares the view that it can play an important role in global reconciliation. The Seoul Olympics in 1988 helped start a process of reconciliation which is still in progress. In Sydney 2000 we saw athletes from North and South Korea march together. We saw the same recently at the Winter Asian Games. It is our firm conviction that the 2014 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games can take us significantly closer to a peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula. Choosing PyeongChang to host the 2014 Olympic Winter Games would send a message extraordinarily relevant to our times.

We hope to imbue the Games for the next generation through such programs as the Dream Program and Youth Camps.

Our Green Plan will ensure that the Games are truly environmentally friendly.

Through the experience of hosting the Winter Games we hope to make PyeongChang into a historical center of winter sports