The one-year countdown to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics has begun, with the reveal of the Olympic torch and organisers opening online ticket reservations.
South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and an International Olympic Committee delegation led by Gunilla Lindberg, who heads the IOC's coordination commission for the Games, also attended the ceremony in Gangneung, which will host the ice sports events next year.
"I am convinced that the Pyeongchang Olympics will be a success," Hwang said.
"I believe in the great strength of our people who have successfully hosted international events like the 1988 Olympics and 2002 World Cup."
Yuna Kim, a South Korean figure skating gold medallist, carried the white-and-gold Olympic torch onto a stage built over ice as a group of pop singers sang the Queen hit We Are the Champions.
It highlighted an event that also included a video message from IOC President Thomas Bach.
"It is my great pleasure to invite the national Olympic committees of the world and their athletes to participate in the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018," Bach said in the message.
Hwang told organisers in a meeting earlier in the day that government is ready to invest "every reliable resource" to build buzz for the Games and ensure the safety of athletes and spectators.
With preparations entering the last phases, the participation of North Korea and Russia have emerged as major issues ahead of next year's games.
Relations between the two Koreas have worsened since North Korea conducted two nuclear tests and a string of rocket launches last year.
Russian athletes have been caught up in a scandal following allegations of state-sponsored doping around the time of the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Lee Hee-beom, Pyeongchang's organizing head, expressed hopes to see athletes from both countries at the games.
"Every country and every athlete who loves peace has a right and obligation to participate in the Olympics," Lee said.
"North Korea is no exception. We are making preparations for the possibility that North Korea participates in the Games."
Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on the 12 competition venues in Pyeongchang and nearby Gangneung, including six new facilities.
The athletes and media villages, an international broadcasting centre, and a pentagonal stadium that will host the opening and closing ceremonies are expected to be finished by September.
