Korean Air has been appointed an official sponsor of the 2013 PyeongChang Special Olympics Winter Games. The official signing took place on 23 January at Korean Air’s headquarters and present at the ceremony were the Korean Air’s Chairman and CEO, Yang Ho Cho and the Chairwoman of the Games Organization Committee, Kyung Won Na.

The Special Olympics Winter Games is an international multi-sports competition event, which differs from the Paralympics, where athletes with a range of physical disabilities participate. The Special Olympics, held every four years since 1977, brings public attention to the talents and capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 10th Special Olympics, held from 29 January - 5 February 2013 in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, will welcome 3,200 athletes from 111 countries all of whom will be coming together to showcase their athletic skills.

The $300,000 sponsorship deal will also see Korean Air offering people from developing countries the opportunity to attend the Games by providing support in the form of air tickets. Previously the airline had the honor of supporting the transportation of the Olympic flame from Greece to Korea.

Korean Air remains committed to its responsibility and commitment of contributing to the development of sports in and out of Korea. Korean Air’s Chairman and CEO, Yang Ho Cho has enhanced Korea’s international status and demonstrated his sports leadership, most notably by serving as Chairman of the successful 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics bidding committee between September 2009 and July 2011 which won this prestigious event for Korea.

Korean Air sponsored the International Skating Union’s 2010-2012 World Cup short track speed skating competitions and the Qatar Peace and Sport Table Tennis Cup in 2011. For the London 2012 Olympics Games, Korean Air sponsored AIBA’s ‘Road to London’ initiative; a special training camp to support boxers in need of proper training facilities. Korean Air is also an official sponsor of 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Korean Air has three sports teams of male speed skating, volleyball and table tennis and also operates an ‘Excellence Program’ sponsoring selected Korean athletes with outstanding skills, including figure skater Kim Yeon A, swimmer Park Tae Hwan and rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon Jae.