Winter Olympics: The South Korean resort left out in the cold

The Winter Olympics is being blamed for Bokwang's change of fortunes, according to local business owners.

Local business owners in Bokwang are protesting the Winter Olympics.

Local business owners in Bokwang are protesting the Winter Olympics. Source: SBS

SBS News reporter Kirsty Johansen is in South Korea ahead of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games (9-25 February).

While Pyeongchang is already enjoying the spoils of hosting the Winter Olympics, it's a very different story 50km away.

South Korea's other main winter resort of Bokwang is usually buzzing with local and international tourists at this time of year.

But - as a handful of Winter Olympic events are being held in Bokwang - all the ski parks in the area have been closed to visitors.

Some 60 local ski rental stores have been forced to close and collectively expect to lose more than $12 million this month.

The Phoenix Snow Park in Bokwang.
The Phoenix Snow Park in Bokwang. Source: SBS


Many business owners now spend their days protesting the lack of government compensation.

A "2018 Pyeongchang Olympics kills us. Keep our right to live!" banner has been erected in the resort.

Owner of Bokwang Ski Rentals Kim SeBin told SBS News he has taken a large financial hit.

"I have a household of five. What the hell am I doing here? I have to make money for my family and now I am protesting. I am getting so angry. I am going crazy because I have been getting so upset," he said.

'I almost sent my resignation letter three times'

But behind the positive headlines, Pyeongchang also has its fair share of troubles.

Sliding Centre Director Choi Taeheoui is in charge of building the $150 million dollar bobsleigh track.



He told SBS News that government funding for the project was delayed while the former South Korean President was being impeached, which meant construction was also put back.

So Choi had just 15 months to construct the track.

"As an engineer, I almost sent my resignation letter three times because it was so challenging."

"This is a very cold area. From October to March it's hard to operate. We should only be working two thirds of the year. But in order to meet this deadline we have had to operate in these trying conditions and we are still working."


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2 min read

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By Kirsty Johansen

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