Local protesters remain angry at decisions taken by Pyeongchang 2018 nearly two years ago that they believe have minimised their involvement in the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

The one which continues to anger them the move is the decision drop plans to build a new railway station in the Alpensia Resort, deciding to use Jinbu Station as the "Olympic Station".

Part of Pyeongchang's original initiative during its successful bid to host the Games was building a new station to enable visitors arriving at Incheon International Airport to reach the venue within an hour.

This plan was controversially downscaled shortly after Pyeongchang, who were bidding for the third consecutive time, were awarded the Games ahead of its rivals Annecy and Munich, whose campaign was led by Bach before he became IOC President. 


IOC members arriving for the Sochi 2014 debrief, including President Thomas Bach, will be left in no doubt about the anger some residents feel about Pyeongchang's failure to keep a number of commitments it made during its id for the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics ©ITG

Other decisions that upset local people included switching the Opening and Closing Ceremonies from the originally planned sites at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium, as well as changing where events will be held.

Pyeongchang 2018 plans to create an Olympic Parky in Hoenggye, about two miles from the Alpensia resort, where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will now take place on an 80,000-square-metre plot, 50,000-seat temporary stadium.

The Medal Plaza and the Olympic Information Hall are also to be constructed on this site.

Joy at Pyeongchang being awarded the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics has turned to anger among some residents upset promises made during the bid have not been kept ©AFP/Getty Images



Anger at the decisions, announced on July 6, 2012, a year to the day after Pyeongchang were awarded the Games by the IOC at its Session in Durban, continue to cause resentment, particularly the one to drop plans to build a station, which they believe is important for the region's development. 

A civic group had even filed a suit at the Chuncheon District Public Prosecutor's Office against Kim, former Governor of Gangwon Province who was the most enthusiastic supporter of bringing the Games here.

But now he is seen by some residents as having them betrayed them and one banner just yards away from the Alpensia Convention Centre, where the Sochi 2014 debrief is taking place, make their feelings clear.

"Untrustworthy Jin-Sun Kim Chairman of Committee Must RESIGN!" it says.

Another banner on the approach to the Centre warns, "Neglecting residents of Daegwanryeong will bring no Olympic success!"

One banner implores "President Geun-Hye Park! Build the Olympic Station here!".

Another says, "IOC Committee! PLEASE HELP build Olympic Station in Daegwanryeong!"

A banner strung up by local residents implores the IOC to help them to persuade Pyeongchang 2018 to build a station there for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics ©ITG

While the protests do not present a serious threat to Kim's position they will be personally embarrassing for him when Bach arrives here on Tuesday (July 1) to take part in the final stages of the Sochi 2014 debrief, which is also being attended by several other top IOC officials, including Gunilla Lindberg, head of the IOC Coordination Commission for Pyeongchang 2018. 

"The Pyeongchang 2018 Organising Committee remains respecful of the decision reached by regional stakeholders, including Gangwon and Pyeongchang, to use Jinbu station as the main transport hub for the Games," a spokeswoman for Pyeongchang 2018 told insidethegames. 

"The decision was also reached after an extensive feasibility study."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2012: Pyeongchang 2018 move venue for Opening and Closing Ceremonies
January 2012: Pyeongchang 2018 in controversy over high-speed rail link