“Jeonbuk has done it!” Kim Hyun-joo, KBS reporter, said, announcing in late February that the province of Jeonbuk was chosen as a candidate to host the 2036 Summer Olympics in Korea despite tough competition with Seoul. In the case where Jeonbuk is chosen, the Olympics will take place in the city of Jeonju, the center of the Jeonbuk province.
The success in securing the spot means much more for Jeonbuk, considering the long list of attempts to host the Olympics in the past. The endeavor first started with the 2014 Winter Olympics, in which they pushed forward the Muju County to host, while their second attempt resulted in losing the spot to Pyeongchang in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Due to these past shortcomings, Jeonbuk actively campaigned for the event, eventually contriving a spot for themselves.
Originally, there were concerns about the Olympics being hosted far from the capital, as it would require extra effort by the tourists to reach the location.
“I wouldn’t go because it’s far from Seoul,” Sungjoon Hur (10), athlete and sports fan, said. “But [the Olympics take place in] 2036, so maybe.”
Many speculate that Jeonju was chosen to host the Olympics due to its various cultural monuments and heritage. Indeed, the city’s historical significance dates back to the Shilla dynasty, when it served as one of the major cities of the kingdom. It also was the place where the Jeonju Yi Clan—the clan of the kings of Joseon—originated.
“Jeonju is a traditional place with deep cultural heritage from the Goryeo dynasty, and because of this a lot of historical values and monuments like the Hanok Village,” Alina Lee (10), avid history student, said. “This kind of [cultural significance allows Jeonju to] stand as the nation’s symbolic place. I think this is why Jeonju was selected.”
Many are excited about the potential hosting of the Olympics in Korea, despite the necessary expenditure for the project’s execution. A nation hosting the Olympics must begin preparing a decade before the actual event, proving their ability to accomodate athletes and tourists.
Hosting such a large international event not only increases foreign investments in Korean industries but also increases tourism, ultimately benefiting the host nation’s economy.
“I think part of the reason [of Korea wanting to host the Olympics] is because countries want to position themselves as an interesting focus of investment,” Natasha Restrepo Carmona, current issues observer, said. “It could be a strategy. Whether it is Seoul or another city, I think that if the city accomplished the minimum requirements, [it’s fine.] It’s going to bring a lot of tourism and investments.”
However, becoming a candidate to host the Olympics also signifies competition with the other 10 candidate nations for the 2036 Olympics—India, Qatar, Indonesia, Turkiye, Chile, South Africa, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Italy, and Canada. The Korean Sports Association points out India and Turkiye as especially strong candidates in the Olympic race.
“India is also taking a leading role in overseas promotion by strengthening contacts with IOC members,” the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) said about the looming competition.
If they want to become selected as the Olympic host, Jeonbuk will have to constantly appeal to the IOC through campaigns and promotions.
