Pragmatic, the South Koreans. And devilishly responsive. Less than a week after the announcement of the resignation of Kim Jin-sun, president of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games Organizing Committee (POCOG), the name of his replacement is already known. And there is no doubt. Unless there is a thunderbolt, the position will be occupied by Cho Yang-ho, the boss of the Hanjin group, a conglomerate of Korean companies including the airline Korean Air.
Cho Yang-ho is no stranger to the Olympic world. South Korea owes him, among other feats of arms, for leading PyeongChang's bid for the 2011 Winter Games to success in 2018. The Asian leader, now 65 years old, was the president and the beachhead. He currently serves as vice-president of the South Korean Olympic Committee, president of the Korean Table Tennis Federation and, for the same sport, vice-president of the Asian Union. Under his leadership, and at his initiative, Korean Air invested in a professional men's volleyball team, a women's table tennis team and a semi-pro speed skating group.
His appointment is not yet completely official. It must be ratified by a vote of the POCOG board of directors, announced for the end of the week. A formality, according to those close to the case. The Koreans have no more time to waste. They don't like it roughly. Above all, they need as boss of the 2018 Winter Games a man who has the confidence of the IOC and, even more, that of economic circles. An audit carried out between May and July within POCOG revealed it: the organizing committee for the PyeongChang Olympics is behind schedule in its marketing program. It is struggling to find national partners.
With a new strongman like Cho Yang-ho, POCOG should quickly fill this gap. The American magazine Forbes estimates his personal fortune at more than $500 million. And he is known in South Korea for having a very influential network in economic and sporting circles. “I accepted the offer to lead the 2018 Games organizing committee after many people inside and outside South Korea encouraged me to do so,” Cho Yang-ho said. And then, I wanted to respect my promise to the IOC to contribute to successful Games. »
An unsuccessful candidate last year for an IOC member seat, Cho Yang-ho assured that he would give his all to his new task. “I will use all my experience acquired during the candidacy campaign,” he suggested. The crisis is over. South Korea can breathe.
