By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young
Governor Kim Jin-tae of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province met with EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez at the Pyeongchang Olympic Memorial Hall in Gangwon Province on Jan. 27.
"Thank you for coming to this Olympic event after the 2023 World Forest Expo," said Governor Kim. "If EU ambassadors from 26 countries visit Gangwon Province in the second half of this year, we will prepare abundantly for them to experience the nature and culture of Gangwon Province."
"Of the more than 1,800 athletes participating in the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, more than 860 are from the European Union. We hope that the European youth will showcase their skills to the fullest and experience the culture of Gangwon Province."
In response, Amb. Castillo Fernandez said, "I have always wanted to come to the Olympics, and I am grateful for the invitation. I would like to visit with EU ambassadors from 26 countries in the second half of this year."
Kim and the EU ambassador also talked about international affairs, including the war in Israel and Ukraine and the North Korea-Russia situation.
Currently, Israel and Ukraine are participating in the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games under difficult conditions.
Together with the EU ambassador, Kim experienced traditional Korean winter food and traditional games at the Snow Pyeongchang Festival Hanmadang Experience Center, and visited an exhibition featuring digital artwork of Gangwon's tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Kim has been meeting with the ambassadors of Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as IOC members during the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
