Young Ho Kim,  Kinesiology Ph.D. student, sport management emphasis, published a column titled “Reply to the 1988 Seoul Olympics” in Pyeongchang magazine, a South Korean publication. The magazine is a special monthly issue on the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics that will be held in South Korea. It is the second time Kim has published in the magazine.

In the column, Kim asks why a certain generation of Koreans who experienced the 1988 Seoul Olympics feel nostalgia for the period, even though it was still a time when the military government wielded enormous power. He suggests that “it’s probably because of the fluttering memories of bringing international attention to South Korea by the event and because of the glory in making the event one of the most successful Olympics in history.” He also suggests that since South Korea has hosted all three major world sports events (Summer/Winter Olympics and FIFA Word Cup), its people may no longer be interested in hosting sporting events.

“Also, we know that hosting mega sports events may no longer bring us as much sensational social impact as we experienced before,” he wrote. “However, as a host nation for the 2018 Winter Olympics, we should have the obligation to make the event a success again, recalling the memory of the ‘88 Seoul Olympics.”

Kim is advised by Lisa Kihl, Ph.D.