Incheon Forms Organizing Committee for 2014 Asiad

Preparation for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games has started.

The organizing committee for the event held the opening ceremony yesterday for its office and plate hanging at Munhak Stadium.

Some 500 major figures attended, including Korea Sports Council President Kim Jeong-gil, who chairs the committee, Culture and Tourism Minister Kim Jong-min, Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo and athletes.

Chairman Kim said, “The Asian Games is a major international sports event that will also promote Incheon in the world. The committee will prepare the event with precision to make it one of the world’s best events.”

The committee will start with 27 members but will expand to 100 next year.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry has pledged full government support for the games, including enacting an enforcement ordinance.

The Incheon City Hall will also expand city infrastructure for the event. Mayor Ahn said, “The city government will build a new stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and an athletes’ village covering 660,000 square meters near Seo-gu, Incheon.”

beetlez@donga.com