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February 5, 2018

The Honorable President and members of the International Olympic Committee,

I welcome all of you to the Republic of Korea. I am grateful to you all for traveling long distances to join us today.

Some of you here might have participated in the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics as athletes or spectators. Since then, the Republic of Korea has achieved yet another miracle. The country has made remarkable breakthroughs not only in the economy but also in democracy. Today, I join the proud people of the Republic of Korea and the citizens of Gangwon Province in warmly welcoming everyone.

Gangneung, where we are gathered now, is located to the east of a mountain range that runs through most of the length of the Korean Peninsula, from Mount Baekdu in the north to Mount Jiri in the south. The Korean people feel the greatness of nature when hiking the mountain peaks along the endlessly meandering ridges. We relate ourselves to the untold stories steeped in every ridge.

Gangneung is also known as a favorite spot for Koreans to see the first sunrise of the New Year. Watching the bright sun above the vast blue East Sea, Koreans renew their New Year’s resolutions. Gangneung is the place to foster dreams. I hope your dreams, as well as the ideals and goals of the IOC, will further grow here in Gangneung.

We have built five ice-skating rinks here in Gangneung for the upcoming Winter Olympics. There are seven ski slopes in the neighboring towns of PyeongChang and Jeongseon. We have been looking forward with excitement to athletes coming to these venues and to their fine performances, fair competition and abundant new records.

We know how long the Olympians have endured hard training for one competition that will sometimes come down to a mere split second. We will cheer them on for their challenges and achievements. Together with the entire world, we will enjoy the moment as the athletes’ beads of sweat turn into the applause and cheers of spectators. We will also help to infuse the young people around the world, our future generation, with hope, courage and new inspiration.

In four days, the Olympic flame that was ignited at the Temple of Hera in Greece and relayed by 7,500 torchbearers representing the combined population of South and North Korea of 75 million will light the Olympic cauldron. Ablaze with the Olympic spirit, it will -mark the start of a winter festival for all around the world.

Distinguished IOC members, ladies and gentlemen,

It is significant to me that the Winter Olympics, a global winter festival, is being held in the Republic of Korea. Winters in Korea are known for harsh cold winds and heavy snow. Sixty-eight years ago, the winter brought an unbearably great sorrow and pain for the Korean people. War had devastated everything. Many had to leave their homes and part with their relatives. Among them were my parents. Braving the extreme cold in life-or-death struggles, the winter that year is deeply etched as a painful chapter in the history of the Korean Peninsula.

However, you are now witnessing something astounding indeed taking place. From a divided nation, a land with gaping wounds left by war and a region lying just a stone’s throw away from the truce line, a message of reconciliation and peace toward the entire world begins. I believe this fact will be a source of joy not only for Koreans but also for all peace-loving people around the world.

There is yet another reason why this winter festival has a special meaning for me. That is because this Winter Olympics began and has been prepared with an ardent wish of Koreans.

The people of the Republic of Korea still vividly remember the 123rd IOC Session held in 2011 in Durban, South Africa. Many people were anxiously waiting in front of their TVs for the outcome of our count