Writing for the Korea Times, Cho has been assessing the potential impact of the 2018 Games on South Korea and claims the success of the Olympics "hinges, in part, on how much economic effect it would create".

"As the President of the Pyeongchang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, my priority is to stage an economically beneficial and efficient Olympics," he said.  

"But at the same time, I believe the true economic effect is not only quantified into hard numbers but also assessed by potential value.

"I believe the biggest economic effect of the Pyeongchang Games is making Korea one of the world's premier tourist destinations by improving our 'hardware' or tourism-related infrastructure, such as hotels and restaurants, and our 'software' or our awareness and attitudes, such as with regard to cleanliness and friendliness.

"If Pyeongchang makes the list of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world, I would say the Olympics is a success.

"My primary responsibility is to turn Pyeongchang and Gangwon Province into a sustainable legacy for Korea."

Cho also claims that the "world is relying on Korea" to make the Games successful, "especially in terms of information technology".

In October of last year, it was confirmed that cloud-based technology will be used on a far greater scale at both Rio 2016 and Pyeongchang 2018.

In Rio, more than 80 competition and non-competition venues will have IT infrastructure linked together, which will include hundreds of servers and thousands of laptops and desktop computers, while in Pyeongchang two years later all IT services will be combined this way.

"The Pyeongchang Games will provide visitors with state-of-the-art IT services, hopefully the best in the history of international sporting events," said Cho.

"The world's fastest fifth-generation mobile network and Internet of Things (IoT) services will be available throughout the event, offering unprecedented access to the Games not only to Olympians but to people around the world."

The 2018 Games will be staged three decades after the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympic Games, which Cho says "imprinted Korea in the hearts and minds of people around the world".

"The Pyeongchang Games will be the 'completion of Olympics in Korea', promote the country's brand value and advance winter sports in Asia," he added.

"Moreover, it will lay the grounds for Korea's great leap forward in the next decade.

"I can already hear the roars of the crowds in Pyeongchang.

"I look forward to the day when Pyeongchang gives everyone once-in-a-lifetime memories they will forever treasure."

In September, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission chair Gunilla Lindberg urged Pyeongchang 2018 to "increase the speed" of construction, and warned the Organising Committee must "maintain their focus" ahead of a busy lead-up to the Games, which begin with the Opening Ceremony on February 9.

Concerns have been prominent in the build-up to the Games, particularly regarding construction of venues and sponsorship, but these were allayed somewhat when IOC President Thomas Bach hailed the "great progress" Pyeongchang 2018 had made when he visited South Korea in August.

Cho remains confident that they will deliver on their promises, stating: "The Winter Olympics will result in the establishment of world-class sports stadiums and operating systems and accumulation of experience and know-how in successfully organising international sporting events, all of which will be part of Korea's valuable assets.

"Our plans for the Olympics are gradually being realised," he said.

"As our preparations progress, my faith and confidence that hosting the games will bring political, economic, social and cultural paradigm shifts are reaffirmed."



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