South Korean actor Lee Min-ho has been announced as an Honourary Ambassador for Pyeongchang 2018 ©Getty Images

Leading South Korean actor Lee Min-ho has been named as an Honourary Ambassador for the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang, it has been announced.

The 29-year old becomes the first actor to be appointed into the role ahead of the event in two-and-a-half years time.

He joins the likes of Olympic downhill skiing champion Lindsey Vonn of the United States, Vancouver 2010 Olympic figure skating gold medallist Kim Yu-na and speed skater Lee Seung-hoon, who won gold in the 10,000 metres competition in the Canadian city five years ago, on the list of ambassadors for the Games.

“As a fan of skiing and surfing, I take great interest in Olympics,” he said.

“I will try to promote the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics the best I can.”

Lee rose to fame in South Korea as one of the stars of 2009 KBS drama series “Boys Over Flowers” before he went on to feature in “City Hunter” two years later and “The Heirs” in 2013.

He made his big screen debut as a lead in this year’s dark drama film “Gangnam Blues” and has also released two albums before embarking on a tour of the country to meet his substantial fanbase.

Lee Min-ho joins the likes of Olympic downhill skiing champion Lindsey Vonn of the United States on the list of Pyeongchang 2018 ambassadors
Lee Min-ho joins the likes of Olympic downhill skiing champion Lindsey Vonn of the United States on the list of Pyeongchang 2018 ambassadors ©Getty Images

The announcement of Lee as an ambassador for the quadrennial event comes after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission conducted its fifth visit to Pyeongchang, where progress was largely praised but chair Gunilla Lindberg urged them to “increase the speed” of their preparations.

The Swede, who is also secretary general of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), then went on to praise the Organising Committee’s “fantastic” work but warned them to “maintain their focus” ahead of a busy schedule of 28 test events, which begins in February next year.

South Korea is the third Asian nation to stage the Winter Olympics and Paralympics after Japanese cities Sapporo and Nagano hosted the event in 1972 and 1998 respectively.



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