South Korea Expresses Strong Will to Host 2036 Summer Olympics

South Korean officials expressed the country’s “strong will” to host the 2036 Summer Games during a visit to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters this week, sports chiefs said on Wednesday. A delegation led by Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) president Ryu Seung-min met with outgoing IOC chief Thomas Bach in Lausanne on Tuesday as South Korea continues to push its case to hold the Games.

In February, North Jeolla Province and its capital Jeonju were selected over Seoul as South Korea’s candidate for the 2036 Olympics. The KSOC emphasized Jeonju’s suitability as a host city, highlighting its historical and cultural assets as well as its sustainable infrastructure.

Ryu and his colleagues conveyed that the government, sports community, and local government have a strong determination to host the Olympics. Seoul, which hosted the Summer Olympics in 1988, has a legacy of successful international sporting events.

Numerous countries have shown interest in hosting the 2036 Games, including potential first-timers India and South Africa.