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2018 Pyeongchang Olympic committee faces another leadership change

Lee Hee-beom at a news conference in 2005. He is expected to become president of the 2018 Winter Olympics committee.

Lee Hee-beom at a news conference in 2005. He is expected to become president of the 2018 Winter Olympics committee.

(Lee Jin-man / Associated Press)
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The committee charged with organizing the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics is expected to confirm the selection of a new president next week, marking its third leadership change in just less than two years.

Lee Hee-beom, a former government minister, was officially nominated by the group’s executive board on Wednesday and will face general assembly vote May 12.

The revolving door at the top of South Korea’s organizing committee began turning in the summer of 2014 when Kim Jin-sun resigned amid construction delays and financial concerns.

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Cho Yang-ho took over and, by most accounts, succeeded in preparing a series of venues that hosted test events earlier this year.

But Cho abruptly resigned this week, saying he must devote himself to a struggling business group his family controls.

“For the past two years, I have truly put forward my very best efforts,” he said.

Pyeongchang will mark the return of the Winter Olympics to Asia for the first time in two decades. More than 90 countries and 3,000 athletes are expected to attend.

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