South Korea to use PyeongChang Games to show technology and culture

Slated to host the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games from February 9 to 25, South Korea is seizing the opportunity to show to the world that the country is not just a sports power, but also a nation remarkable for its art, culture, and the economic and technological development attained over the last three decades—which rose the country to global prominence in equipment, vehicles, as well as communication and electronic devices.

While talking about the PyeongChang Games, Kwon Youngseup, an official at the Korean Embassy in Brazil, said organizers are going to unveil the new 5G technology, which aims to revolutionize both the internet and mobile data, including higher speed, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the so-called internet of things, connecting home appliances and means of transportation to the web.

K-Pop

Among the cultural elements to be showcased is K-pop, the style of South Korean music that went viral on the internet among millions of young people around the globe. In Brazil, hundreds of thousands of teenagers follow the latest news on the topic.

The Games are also said to make room for the expansion of Korean dramas—soap operas famous in several countries, including Brazil.

“We want to stimulate the spread of Korean culture across the Brazilian media,” Kwon Youngseup said.

Security

The Korean government will give significant importance to security during the Games, the official went on to report. Regarding North Korea, its neighbor, the South Korean diplomat said that security will have as its foundation the Olympic truce for the Games, approved during the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. Under this truce, the two Koreas not only pledge not to carry out any attacks, but also to jointly participate in social and sports events. As a matter of fact, North Korea was invited to show aspects of its art and culture during the Games.

Competition

In terms of international interest, in addition to the World Cup and the Super Bowl, the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games compete with the Summer Olympics, held for the last time in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Some 3 thousand athletes from 95 countries are to take part in the Games. Altogether, 102 finals across 15 winter disciplines will be held and broadcast to the world live.

The Brazilian delegation is to be formed by Isadora Williams (figure skating); Edson Bindilatti, Odirlei Pessoni, Rafael Souza, Edson Martins and substitute Erick Vianna (bobsled); Michel Macedo (alpine skiing); Jaqueline Mourão and Victor Santos (cross-country skiing); and Isabel Clark (snowboarding).

Brazil was classified for two-man bobsled, a winter sport where two- or four-person teams run down narrow iced tracks in a sled.

These are the first Winter Games in South Korea, where the Summer Olympics was held in Seoul, 30 years ago.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira