Pyeongchang 2018 secretary general Yeo Hyung-koo hopes the test events will shift the focus on preparations following protests over the political crisis in South Korea ©Getty Images

Pyeongchang 2018 secretary general Yeo Hyung-koo has claimed upcoming test events in the host city will provide organisers with an opportunity to show they are on track for a successful Olympic and Paralympics Games and take the attention away from the ongoing political scandal in South Korea.

Officials have been forced to deny suggestions there had been external influences on Olympic and Paralympic contract negotiations following the political crisis.

An investigation has been ongoing surrounding Choi Soon-sil, an ally of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and who is accused of influence-peddling, despite having no official Government role.

It is alleged that Choi and other members of her family had a "far deeper influence" on economic, foreign and defence policy and profited from "related business ventures".

This allegedly includes venues being used for Pyeongchang 2018, as well as the process by which Cho Yang-ho was replaced by Lee Hee-beom as Organising Committee President in May.

Kim Chong, the former Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the country, was interviewed last week in relation to the ongoing political investigation, with allegations he had helped Choi’s foundations win lucrative state contracts, which she then used for personal gain.

Pyeongchang 2016 President Lee has repeated claimed preparations for the Games have not been "contaminated by external factors", while the Organising Committee secretary general has now expressed her hope the test events will help to switch the focus away from the scandal.

The first test event for the 2018 Winter Olympics is due to begin tomorrow in Pyeongchang ©Getty Images
The first test event for the 2018 Winter Olympics is due to begin tomorrow in Pyeongchang ©Getty Images

"We don't have much time, but because of external issues like the Choi Soon-sil scandal, we are busy refuting suspicions against us," Yeo told South Korean news agency Yonhap.

"I don't know what they tried to do by targeting the Pyeongchang Games.

"But I believe none of their plans would have materialised.

"There was even a case in which sponsors postponed contract signings, it also caused our staff to feel unrest.

"This is a good opportunity to overcome such difficulties."

The test events are due to begin with an International Ski Federation Snowboard Big Air World Cup competition tomorrow and Saturday (November 26).

The event at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre is the first of 24 due to be held in the build-up to the first-ever Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to be staged in South Korea.