KOICA signs MOU offering support for PyeongChang 2018

The PyeongChang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Games support with the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA).

KOICA is a government-funded organisation for Official Development Assistance (ODA) implementing South Korea’s global grant aid and co-operation programmes for developing nations. Each year, KOICA educates more than 4,500 volunteers to be dispatched overseas by the Korean government under the World Friends Korea (WFK) programme.

Under the agreement of this MOU, KOICA’s will also include “the Olympic Games and PyeongChang 2018” in its education programme for WFK volunteers. These volunteers will then become “Youth Supporters for PyeongChang 2018” and engage in promoting the 2018 Winter Games during their overseas volunteer activities. These Youth Supporters will also have the chance to participate as volunteers during Games time.

KOICA will also help promote the Games by including PyeongChang 2018 venue tours in its invitational fellowship programme for developing nations’ government officials and policymakers.

Signing the MOU, POCOG President CHO Yang-ho noted: “I believe the diverse activities of KOICA and Korea’s young volunteers in developing nations around the world, joined with our New Horizons vision to expand winter sports and spread the spirit of our Games worldwide, can bring great positive energy and momentum for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games.”

KOICA President KIM Young-mok replied: “The co-operation between the two organisations to promote the common prosperity of mankind is a significant milestone. Along with the Youth Supporters program, we will actively endeavor with our supportive partnership for the successful Winter Games in 2018.”