Brazilian Authorities Detail South Korean Security Collaboration

(ATR) Brazilian authorities told Around the Ringsthe extent of assistanceto the PyeongChang 2018 security operationincluded advice in protecting hospitality houses.

An Extraordinary Secretary for Security for Major Events (SESGE) spokesperson told ATR planning and security for hospitality houses was one of many items the two countries collaborated on. The spokesperson said other details were about the "integrated security operation" for Rio 2016 and could not be shared.

"One of the issues dealt with is the specific security operation of so-called ‘Thematic Houses’ (also called ‘national houses’)," the spokesperson said. "In particular, with regards the methodology for the preparation of risk analyzes and also to the peculiarities of the security operation proper to these ‘Areas of Operational Interest.’"

During the Rio 2016 Olympics there were 54 hospitality houses representing different National Olympic Committees, continental associations, Olympic Games organizers, and international federations. The houses were located in different parts of the city and varied in size and scope. Many Olympic sponsors also had spaces in different houses or had hospitality houses around Rio.

The layout of the PyeongChang Olympics will be similar to Rio in that there will be multiple areas where events will take place. PyeongChang will operate two clusters, one in the mountains near Alpensia, and another in the coastal city of Gangneung.

SESGE Winding Down

Next week marks the final two months of the Extraordinary Secretary for Security for Major Events in Brazil.

The SESGE was created in a 2011 law ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics as a division within the Ministry of Justice. It began operations on Aug. 1, 2011.

On July 31 it will cease operations. A spokesperson at the SESGE did not return ATR’s requests for comments about how the staff and knowledge the secretariat collected will be used going forward.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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