Under their partnership, KT will provide high-speed internet service throughout the Games using up-to-date technology and will help Pyeongchang host the most advanced Winter Olympics and Paralympics in terms of information and communication technology, officials claimed.

The announcement was made during a special ceremony at headquarters of KT, the nation's top fixed-line operator and number two mobile carrier, in Seoul attended by Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as well as Gunilla Lindberg, head of the IOC's Coordinaton Commission. 

It was timed to coincide with the Sochi 2014 debrief currently taking place here. 

"We're delighted to have KT on board as our first partner," said Kim Jin-sun, President and chief executive of Pyeongchang 2018.  

"This marks a great leap forward in our Games preparations.

"I believe that the partnership will provide further strength to our vision of opening up New Horizons through organising an Athletes-oriented and Competition-centred Games."

The deal with KT Corporation will help reassure the IOC, who had expressed concern that Pyeongchang 2018 had not signed any sponsorship deals nearly three years after they had been awarded the Winter Olympics and Paralympics ©Pyeongchang 2018

The IOC had previously expressed concern at the lack of sponsorship deals signed by Pyeongchang 2018, who had been awarded the Olympics and Paralympics in July 2011 ahead of Annecy and Munich.

Pyeongchang has set itself a target of raising $1.1 billion (£699 million/€814 million) to help fund the staging of the first Winter Games to take place in South Korea.

KT is no stranger to being a partner for major international events in South Korea.

It was the official sponsor of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 2002 Busan Aisan Games, the 2011 Daegu World Athletics Championships and the G20 Seoul Summit.

"We are looking forward to cooperating with Pyeongchang 2018," said Hwang Chang-kyu, chief executive of the KT Corporation.

"KT will incorporate our cutting-edge telecommunications services technology to the Pyeongchang 2018 Games.

"We also believe that this partnership will help enhance the experience of all Games participants."

Pyeongchang 2018 is expected to announce another major sponsor here tomorrow.

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