S. Korean Olympic Team Launch Ceremony amid Series of Bad Incidents

S. Korean Olympic Team Launch Ceremony amid Series of Bad Incidents

[Sports Wide]

 [Anchor]

 South Korean athletes for the Pyeongchang Olympics held a team launching ceremony.

 Amid a series of ominous incidents, they demonstrated their dedication, aiming to win at least eight gold medals and rank within the top four.

 So Jae-hyung has more.

 [Reporter]

 South Korea's women's short track speed skater Shim Seok-hee, while seeming to remain calm, appeared at the team launch ceremony. It was reported that she has been assaulted by her coach.

Head coach of the Korean national short-track team Kim Sun-tae expressed his regrets over the incident.

 "It is regrettable and I take responsibility. And it is important for our athletes to perform at the Winter Games in top condition and overcome the incident."

 The speed skating team is also suffering from a negative incident.

Women's speed skater Noh Seon-yeong, who was initially picked to represent the country in the women's team pursuit event, will be ineligible for the competition due to administrative errors. The team is struggling to fill her absence.

 Due to a series of negative events hitting the ice sports teams that Korea's best athletes belong to, the ceremony was held amid rising concerns.

 They now need to brush aside past issues and reaffirm their resolve for the upcoming Olympics.

 Korea has set its highest-ever goal of winning eight gold medals to rank fourth.

 "We hope you support us. We'll do our best at the Pyeongchang Olympics to reap fruitful results.”

 Korea could achieve the goal if it earns at least four gold medals in ice skating events, such as short-track and speed skating, and two in sledding.