Scandalous sales?
In February, the Winter Olympics come to South Korea for the first time ever. But if you think Koreans are clamoring to secure themselves tickets to the championship, then you're wrong.
Failing ticket sales have gained a lot of attention internationally in recent weeks, and Wednesday came a new, gloomy update.
According to the online newspaper The Korea Herald, only 30.3 percent of the 1.07 million tickets are sold so far.
The authorities in Gangwon Province, where Pyeongchang is one of 18 municipalities, has decided to buy a total of 27,834 tickets. This is an increase from 3,720 tickets, which was the original plan they had.
For the Paralympics, interest is even more lame, with total ticket sales of 4.2 percent.
Gangwon governor Choi Soon-Moon also fears sponsorship failure.
"I fear global humiliation on behalf of South Korea," said Choi, according to The Korea Herald.
Downplaying the threat
The organizer calls for patience. Among other things, it is argued that Koreans are used to waiting for the last minute to buy tickets.
With regard to tickets to the international audience, it is speculated whether North Korea's nuclear threats have scared away potential buyers.
South Korea's Culture Minister Do Jong-hwan has however stated that the championship will be the "safest ever".
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