Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism backs Gwangju to host Successful Universiade

GWANGJU – With only four months left until the Opening Ceremony of the 28^th Summer Universiade in Gwangju, Korea, representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism visited Gwangju to meet with the Gwangju 2015 Universiade Organizing Committee (GUOC) on 5 March.

The central government has created a task force with central government officials, Gwangju government officials, and GUOC staff members. This task force team is comprised of four subcommittees (i.e., tourism, PR, operational support, and culture & art). The meeting was the first gathering to evaluate the preparations of the mega-sporting event by visiting venues and putting forward specific ideas on how the central government can assist the organizing committee.

The GUOC proposed for the government to increase the number of high-speed KTX train operations from twice a day to at least six times a day on the Incheon International Airport-Gwangju routes. Many more topics, such as purchasing Universiade tickets and assisting safety and security operations, were discussed at the meeting. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism expressed that they would fully support the majority of issues discussed.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will organize tourism projects and cultural activities that are linked to the Gwangju Universiade. In addition, the Ministry will actively promote the 28th Summer Universiade both online and offline.

“There are only four months until the Gwangju Universiade kicks off. As the mega-sporting event takes place in the Republic of Korea, it is important for the sports festival to be celebrated throughout the country. In order for everyone around the world to take part in the World University Games, it is essential to work closely with all areas and departments of the government”, KIM Chong, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism commented.

(Source: GUOC 2015)