Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Lee Kun-hee has been reinstated by the IOC with a reprimand. Lee is one of Korea’s two representatives on the IOC and his reinstatement will boost PyeongChang’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
He voluntarily gave up his rights and duties as an IOC member following his conviction for tax evasion in 2008 and was sentenced last August to a three-year suspended prison term and a fine of 110 billion won (US $89.2 million).
Lee was pardoned by the South Korean government in December allowing him to play a role in PyeongChang’s bid.
A spokesman for PyeongChang 2018 said, “the PyeongChang 2018 Bid Committee fully respects the decision of the IOC Executive Board to reinstate Mr. Kun-Hee Lee as a full IOC member. The bid committee will meet with Mr. Lee in the near future to discuss the plans for PyeongChang 2018 and our campaign to bring the Winter Games to Korea”.
A PyeongChang 2018 bid delegation led by co-chairmen Yang Ho Cho and Governor Jin Sun Kim, will be travelling to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games to participate in the official Vancouver 2010 Observer Programme.
Co-Chairman Yang Ho Cho said, “we are delighted to be headed to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games because we are confident that not only will it be a spectacular event, there will also be valuable lessons to be learned for our team. We look forward to working with our friends at the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games who are kindly providing their time, their knowledge and their enthusiasm for the Movement to assist us in our planning”.
Co-Chairman and Governor Jin Sun Kim added, “this gathering is also an opportunity to meet Olympic sponsors and broadcasters who are so important to delivering great Winter Games. PyeongChang 2018 is proud to be a part of this meeting and we look forward to learning from our colleagues in the Olympic Movement”.
