Jeonbuk, Seoul Find Common Ground on Joint Hosting of 2036 Olympics... Leadership and Cost-Sharing Remain Challenges

Oh Sehoon: "No reason to turn down co-hosting"
Lee Wontaek: "We will continue working with Seoul, which is supportive"

Discussions on a joint bid by Jeonbuk and Seoul to host the 2036 Summer Olympics have advanced, with both sides expressing support for pursuing co-hosting. However, the specific hosting arrangements and division of responsibilities have yet to be determined. The challenge now is to develop an actionable plan that meets the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s host-selection criteria while coordinating details such as the use of facilities and the sharing of costs.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon speaks at a press conference marking his 100th day in office at Seoul City Hall on the 7th. Photo provided by Yonhap News Agency.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed support for Jeonbuk's proposal to co-host the Games, while emphasizing the need for efficient operations and a detailed implementation plan. At a press conference on October 7 at Seoul City Hall marking the 100th day of his ninth popularly elected term, Oh said, "If Jeonbuk asks to co-host, there is no reason to refuse," adding, "Whatever form its proposal takes, it would amount to co-hosting, and we are prepared to accept it." He also said Seoul did not intend to impose separate conditions for co-hosting or ask Jeonbuk to revise its proposal.

However, he stressed that the decision on co-hosting should be considered from the IOC's perspective, rather than in light of domestic political circumstances. Oh said the IOC would give significant consideration to hosting costs and the smooth operation of the Games, and noted that the two to three hours it takes to travel between Seoul and Jeonju could constrain a joint bid.

He also identified the locations of the athletes' village and the media village as key considerations. "Jeonbuk needs to come forward with a detailed implementation plan," Oh said, adding that Seoul could not formulate a specific position because it had not yet received a practical proposal. He also indicated that the central government should develop a viable plan.

Oh also highlighted Seoul's existing sports facilities and experience hosting the Olympics as strengths. Facilities used for the 1988 Seoul Olympics have been maintained, and a project to renovate Jamsil's sports and MICE facilities is underway, with 2031 as its target. In particular, he said the ability to use existing facilities and upgrade related infrastructure would be an advantage in securing the Games and hosting them.

Lee Wontaek, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province.

Jeonbuk said it would continue discussions with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. In a statement responding to Oh's remarks, Jeonbuk State Governor Lee Wontaek said, "We will continue to consult with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on ways to strengthen our international competitiveness in bidding for the Summer Olympics." He added that officials would also discuss specific matters at the working level.

For Jeonbuk, the key will be to improve its capacity to host the Games, including accommodation, transportation and venues, through co-hosting, while reducing its financial burden and securing a meaningful role as a host. Seoul has also emphasized the use of existing facilities and the efficient operation of the Games, so the two sides will need to reconcile their interests.

Although the Seoul Metropolitan Government has said it is willing to accept the co-hosting proposal, no specific agreement has been reached on the hosting arrangements or the sharing of costs. The sides will need to set out the venues for each sport, the locations of the athletes' and media villages, transportation measures and the scope for using existing facilities, and establish principles for dividing the associated costs and responsibilities.

For the two sides' willingness to cooperate to lead to an actual co-hosting agreement, they will need to go beyond a general expression of support and develop a workable plan. The key issue in future discussions will be whether they can devise an approach to operating the Games that meets the IOC's evaluation criteria and establish reasonable principles for sharing costs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.