South Korea Ministry of Culture supports joint 2036 Olympic bid

South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has expressed support for a joint bid by Jeonbuk State and Seoul to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. During a meeting between Minister Choi Hwi-young and Jeonbuk Governor Lee Won-taek, the Ministry pledged to facilitate necessary procedures through the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee once an agreement is reached between the two local governments.

While both regions agree on the principle of a joint hosting, significant logistical and financial details remain unresolved. Key points of negotiation include the location of opening and closing ceremonies, the distribution of sporting events, the construction of the athletes' village, and the sharing of costs. Current proposals involve Jeonbuk hosting a majority of venues and athletes, but Seoul’s cooperation on these specific allocations is critical for a successful bid.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is scheduled to begin virtual presentations this month. South Korea is among seven competing nations, including India, Qatar, South Africa, Turkey, Hungary, and Germany. The IOC will use these presentations to narrow the field to three candidate countries for the Strategic Dialogue phase in March next year.