Lee Kee-heung is confident countries will attend Pyeongchang 2018 ©Getty Images

Korean Sport and Olympic Committee President Lee Kee-heung has expressed his belief that countries will attend the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, despite security concerns.

A warning from French Sports Minister Laura Flessel that her country could miss next year's Games because of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula raised concerns nations could opt not to travel next year.

Tensions have continued to rise in the region, following a series of missile tests by North Korea in recent months.

Matters have been escalated further by the increasing rhetoric between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Kim had warned yesterday that North Korea would consider the "highest level of hard-line countermeasures in history" against America in response to Trump’s threat to destroy them.

Lee has played down suggestions countries could miss the Games, but acknowledged he understood the reason for their concerns.

"I know some people are worried about North Korea," Lee told the Korea Herald.

"But they're not saying they won't take part in the Olympics.

"I think everyone will come."

French Sports Minister Laura Flessel had prompted fears countries could miss the Games ©Getty Images
French Sports Minister Laura Flessel had prompted fears countries could miss the Games ©Getty Images

Flessel had claimed last week that if the crisis deepened and "our security cannot be assured, the French Olympics team will stay at home".

French National Olympic and Sports Committee President Denis Masseglia distanced himself from Flessel by claiming that they have no plans to miss the Games.

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chief executive Scott Blackmun issued a statement confirming their preparations are continuing for the Games.

Blackmun also stated that the USOC were confident the South Korean organisers could deliver a great Games as the Olympics draws closer.

The USOC have also sent a letter to potential members of their team for Pyeongchang 2018 reassuring them about their safety.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have contacted all 205 National Olympic Committees asking them to "coordinate any media enquiries and responses" about the situation in North Korea with them.

Suggestions the Games might not go ahead have continually been rejected by the IOC, who insist the event will take place as planned.

The IOC have stated they are closely monitoring the situation on the Korean Peninsula and have been in close contact with Governments and the United Nations (UN) over recent months.

The UN are currently finalising an "Olympic Truce" resolution due for approval at a General Assembly in November.