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President Moon Jae-in talks to members of the press at the Main Press Center (MPC) for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games on Feb. 17. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Xu Aiying and Lee Hana

President Moon Jae-in visited the Main Press Center (MPC) for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games on Feb. 17, and offered words of encouragement to members of the local and foreign press.

The president vowed to make the PyeongChang Olympics an event from which journalists could feel proud to be reporting live. “This year’s Winter Games will be the one that you look back on and think, ‘I was a part of history in the making,’” he said.

President Moon said that other goals at the PyeongChang Olympics, from its technological innovations to its cultural programs, were being carried out successfully.

“The events have been running smoothly, and thanks to the immaculate quality of the ice, we have seen many athletes set world records, and heard countless moving stories. In terms of records and heroic tales, I have a feeling that the PyeongChang Games will be one of the best we’ve seen yet,” he said.

President Moon stressed that the goal of launching an Olympics of Peace, one the most important missions for PyeongChang, had also been realized owing to North Korea’s participation in the Games.

“The presence of North Korean athletes and related personnel has helped to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula, ensuring safety and security for the PyeongChang Olympics. The joint entrance of South and North Korean athletes at the Opening Ceremony, and the united cheers of our inter-Korean supporters, have deeply moved audiences all around the world,” said the president.

xuaiy@korea.kr