Former President Lee Myung-bak (c) reviews written invitations in his Seoul office from the International Olympic Committee and incumbent President Moon Jae-in to official events of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, after receiving the invitations from the presidential office on Jan. 31, 2018. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Korea Bizwire) – The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae formally invited former President Lee Myung-bak Wednesday to PyeongChang Olympic ceremonies that will include an opening reception for visiting heads of state.
The invitation was delivered in person by Han Byung-do, senior secretary for political affairs to President Moon Jae-in.
Cheong Wa Dae earlier said the invitation to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Feb. 9-25 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games was made by the International Olympic Committee, while the one to the official reception came from the incumbent president.
Lee said he will positively consider attending the events to be held in the eastern town located 180 kilometers from Seoul.
“It is a national festival and a great chance to promote the national unity of the Republic of Korea and improve the status of the nation,” he told Han.
South Korea’s bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang began under the Lee Myung-bak administration, which lasted from 2008-2013.
The invitation, however, comes amid an apparently looming prosecution investigation against the former conservative leader.
A number of Lee’s former aides have already been summoned on suspicions of accepting bribes from the National Intelligence Service. His relatives are also being probed over a slush fund scandal involving a car parts maker.
The prosecution has said they will likely summon the former president for questioning after the end of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.
(Yonhap)
