(ATR) PyeongChang 2018 has confirmed Hee Beom Lee as its new president following the sudden resignation of Yang Ho Cho.
Lee was approved by the PyeongChang Olympic organizing committee at its general assembly in Seoul on Thursday.
Addressing members after the decision, Lee said: "The PyeongChang 2018 Games is a historic project that will showcase the development of Korea to the world and put PyeongChang's name on the map as a major winter sports hub. I will fully devote myself to deliver a successful Games in 2018."
Lee, 65, a former energy minister, is said to be a well-regarded executive who has led businesses and government departments in his career. He was educated as an electronics engineer. But he has no experience in sport or the Olympics.
Lee addressed his lack of Olympic-related experience, in comments sent to Around the Rings.
"Though not an expert, I do have experience in participating in the former bids for PyeongChang and the Gwangju Universiade," he said. "I will actively work with the experts and expand my network with the IOC and sports community."
Lee added: "I will work hard to continue the achievements of POCOG so far to make sure the 2018 Winter Games can be remembered as a lasting success and leave a good legacy. "
He is the third president to take the reins of the PyeongChang Olympics, now just 20 months away.Lee’s appointment is expected to be finalized with the approval of Korea’s sports ministry in the coming days.
He is due to begin work on Monday. The first item on his agenda is a two-day trip to PyeongChang and Gangneung to visit the Olympic venue sites and be briefed on Games preparations.
Lee faces immediate challenges with a full schedule of Olympic test events planned for this upcoming winter.
PyeongChang 2018 hosted alpine and freestyle skiing test events in February. But organizers experienced problems opening the new bobsleigh and luge track in Alpensia. Technical difficulties in producing sufficient ice resulted in postponement of the venue’s certification until the autumn.
Cho abruptly announced his resignation as president last week after serving almost two years in the position. Cho said he quit to devote all his attention to the precarious financial situation of Hanjin Shipping, one of the large businesses his family company owns.
Just hours after Cho resigned on May 3, the Korean government nominated Lee to take over the presidency.
Most recently, Lee was vice chair and CEO of LG International. Lee’s career began in 1972 in the ministry of trade, industry and energy. He has served in a variety of positions inside and outside government. But only time will tell if he can lead PyeongChang 2018's final preparations and successfully deliver Korea’s first Winter Olympics.
Reported by Brian Pinelli
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