In a letter to the Kangwon Domin Ilbo newspaper the opera favourite said: "Ever since I sang the theme song for Pyeongchang's bid for 2014 Winter Games, this idyllic area in the Korean mountains has held a special place in my heart.

"It is my desire to help bring the 2018 Winter Games to Pyeongchang, a desire that deepened as I watched our young Korean athletes win medals at the Vancouver Winter Games.

"I know in my heart that Pyeongchang will be able to give visitors a great time during the Winter Games in 2018."

Jo was backed up by Yu-Na Kim, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games ladies' figure skating gold medallist who this week reaffirmed her dedicated support for the Bid.

Kim, an official ambassador for Pyeongchang 2018, also expressed her commitment to the bid through an open letter to the same newspaper in which she praised the Korean people for their enthusiasm and help.

Kim said: "As a young child I was inspired by the wonderful spirit of Olympism when I watched the 1998 Nagano Winter Games, and I dreamt that one day I would become an Olympic champion.

"At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, I experienced the joy of winning an Olympic gold medal, and in those special moments, my sporting dreams were realised.

"It would now be a great honour for me and for all Korean people to help bring the Winter Games to Korea in 2018 and inspire a new, young generation of winter sports athletes across Asia."

Both Kim and Jo also confirmed they will continue to work as Pyeongchang 2018 Bid Ambassadors through to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) host city decision at its Session in Durban on July 6, where they will face rivals Annecy and Munich.

Yang Ho Cho, Pyeongchang 2018 chairman and chief executive, said: "I would like to thank our ambassadors for their unwavering support, and it is a great boost to our bid campaign as we prepare for the IOC Evaluation Commission visit next month.

"We are delighted to be able to count on our ambassadors to help us show our commitment to offer the Olympic Movement a world of 'New Horizons', and that our bid offers the very best setting for winter sports fans, athletes and the Olympic Family attending the Winter Games in 2018."


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January 2011: Give 2018 Olympics to a city that wants them claim Pyeongchang
December 2010: Pyeongchang 2018 sign sponsorship deal with SK group
December 2010: Pyeongchang boost bid team with new Ambassador and vice-chairmen