(ATR) The prime minister of Korea says her government will provide total support to stage the 2014 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

Korean prime minister Myeong Sook Han with IOC 2014 chair Chick Igaya. Behind them are commission member Rebecca Scott and the IOC''s Gilbert Felli. (ATR)

(ATR) The prime minister of Korea says her government will provide total support to stage the 2014 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

Myeong Sook Han spoke at the official dinner Thursday night in PyeongChang for the IOC 2014 Evaluation Commission. The 16-member panel is in Korea through Feb. 17 to inspect the bid for the 2014 Olympics.

The prime minister said that Korea understands the importance of the Olympics, given its experience hosting 1988 Games.

In his remarks, bid chairman Seung Soo Han told the IOC team that Koreans are a people "who create a river and mountain when needed."

On Friday morning, day three of its visit, the IOC commission was briefed on the final five of the 17 themes in the bid book.

All 16 members of the commission hit the slopes at PyeongChang after their morning briefings. Weather is outstanding: just above freezing, with a blue sky above.

In the afternoon the group will travel to Gangeung to inspect plans for the ice venues in the coastal city, about 30 minutes from PyeongChang.

The Thursday night dinner was attended by about 150 people, the only function hosted by the bid city which is permitted under IOC rules.

A western-style menu of smoked trout, carrot soup, tenderloin and a bid-themed chocolate mousse was served. The IOC was told by the dinner mc that the Korean white wine

A PyeongChang 2014 theme for dessert at the official dinner. (ATR)

being served, Millenium Promise, was selected for its symbolism. A California merlot was the red wine for the evening.

The entertainment program presented a fusion of traditional and modern Korean music that was skillfully produced and well-received.

The dinner guests included local government leaders involved with the bid, as well as national and international figures, such as Samsung chair and IOC member Kun Hee Lee, who escorted the Prim Minister and IOC commission chair Chiharu Igaya into the ballroom for dinner.

International federation presidents Chungwon Choue (World Taekwondo Federation) and Y.S. Park (Judo) were also on hand. Accompanying Choue was new WTF secretary general Jin Suk Yang.

Saturday the commission departs PyeongChang for Seoul, where they will have a meeting with Korean President Moo Hyun Roh. He will arrive in Seoul from a week-long trip to Europe just hours before the IOC visits the Blue House, as the official offices of the Korean President are known.

On the scene coverage of the IOC Evaluation Commisssion continues at www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only.

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