The German was also awarded an honorary doctorate in physical education from the Korea National Sport University (KNSU) for his "contribution to global peace and development of sport".

Bach met with the Prime Minister and acting President of the Republic of Korea Hwang Kyo-ahn and with the speaker of the Korean National Assembly Chung Sye-kyun.

It comes at a fractious time after three protesters were killed in Seoul on Friday (March 10) following the official removal of Park Geun-hye as President following successful impeachment proceedings.

According to the IOC, Bach discussed the "upcoming Olympic Winter Games" with both leaders and they agreed that the event would be "a great opportunity to bring all Korean people together and unite the country".

Bach also praised progress following a busy winter of Olympic and Paralympic test events.

"I trust Korea and I trust Koreans 100 per cent," he was quoted as saying.

Park became the first democratically elected South Korea leader to be forced from office after being impeached earlier this year.

The scandal centred around her links to Choi Soon-sil, her 60-year-old adviser, who exerted "undue influence" on policy-making despite having no official Government role. 

Chief judge Lee Jung-mi said Park had violated the constitution and law "throughout her term"and illegally concealed the truth and lied to press. 

An election for a successor must now be held within the next 60 days. 

Bach, who will chair an IOC Executive Board meeting starting on Thursday (March 16), also met with former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The two have frequently met since Bach assumed the IOC Presidency in 2013 as the German seeks to show the wider role of sport.

This contribution was acknowledged during a ceremony at South Korea's only national sports university. 

The 63-year-old, a team foil fencing champion at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, became the second IOC chief to receive an honorary degree after Juan Antonio Samaranch during Seoul 1988. 

He was honoured at a ceremony attended by other Olympic champions including South Korea's IOC Athletes' Commission member Ryu Seung Min, the men's singles table tennis winner at Athens 2004.

Two Rio 2016 winners were also present in men's épée fencer Park Sang-young and women's under 67 kilograms taekwondo player, Oh Hye-ri.

"KNSU has played a central role in the promotion of sport and its values throughout the Republic of Korea," Bach was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency. 

"You've helped write Korean Olympic history. 

"You can be proud of being a part of this important Olympic legacy."

KNSU President Kim Seong-jo claimed Bach is a "role model" before outlining place to set up a "Centre for Olympic Academy" in Asia.

"We hope that the IOC grants us the construction of this centre so that KNSU, in support of the IOC and the National Olympic Committee, can contribute to the spread of Olympic spirit in Asia through the right education," he said.