PyeongChang 2018 launches Volunteer Recruitment Programme

The PyeongChang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) will begin recruitment for 22,400 volunteers for the Games on 1 July 2016.

POCOG will receive applications through an online system until the end of September, and anyone older than 18 are eligible to apply. Also, organisations with 50 or more members may apply in the group recruitment category.

POCOG President Lee Hee-beom announced: “I am very pleased to launch the volunteer recruitment programme for the PyeongChang 2018 Games. Join us and be part of the passion. Volunteers will be a part of history. It will be priceless opportunity to make friends, learn the world and leave lasting memories that will shine forever."

During Games times, accepted volunteers will be dispatched throughout the venues to provide service to Olympic and Paralympic Games participants and spectators across seven areas—Games Information, Operational Support, Media Support, Technology, Protocol/Language Services, Sport, and Medical Services. After the screening process, selected volunteers will be required to go through field training sessions and classes designed to offer top-notch service to all Games participants. Uniforms, accommodation, meals, insurance coverage and other benefits will be provided to all volunteers.

On Thursday (30 July), one day before the online recruitment website goes live, POCOG held a promotional Volunteer Recruitment Launching Event. Kim Heung-soo, two time Olympic participant in ski jumping and a POCOG sport manager, demonstrated how to apply to become a PyeongChang 2018 volunteer.

The event’s highlight was the signing of several group volunteer MOUs; representatives of eight schools, four volunteer organisations, and Jecheon City each agreed to join the PyeongChang 2018 team as group volunteers.

At the event, POCOG President LEE Hee-beom commented: “Volunteers stand at the frontline of service to every visitor and guest of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, and their performance will help define the image of PyeongChang 2018. It is with great pleasure and expectation that we begin the search for our volunteers, and I sincerely believe that PyeongChang will be able to provide the best service ever with the volunteers.”

Minister of the Interior Hong Yun-sik attended the event to express the central government’s support for the PyeongChang 2018 volunteer programme and promised to help promote the recruitment. He encouraged future volunteers by saying: “I have firm belief in the Korean people’s patriotic spirit. Please be there and shine!”

For more information on the PyeongChang 2018 volunteer recruitment programme, please visit PyeongChang 2018 website.