ROK Olympic chief: Beijing Olympics to be most successful in history

SEOUL, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Kil, chairman of South Korea's Olympic Committee, has expressed his belief that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will be the most successful in history.

"As the Chinese government as well as the media and the general populace in China are most concerned about the security and smooth progress of the Olympic torch relay in Seoul, which is scheduled for Sunday, the South Korea's central government, the Seoul municipality and the Olympic Committee will adopt such effective security measures as elevating the security level to that of head of state and maintaining absolute secrecy about detailed security measures and agenda for the relay," said Kim in a joint interview with Xinhua and other Chinese media at his office.

South Korea has heeded the nasty incidents that took place during the relay in some countries, said Kim. Though South Korea could not boast of perfect security, no major problem will be allowed to arise, he added.

It is not appropriate to disrupt the flame relay, let alone boycott the Beijing Olympic Games, Kim said.

The Olympic Games is a grand sports festival and should not be affected by political and religious factors, said the South Korean Olympic Committee chief, who wishes the 2008 Beijing Olympic Gamesa success under worldwide attention.

Concerning the significance of the torch relay, Kim said that the Olympic flame itself represents peace. Traveling between the five continents, the Beijing Olympic flame transmits the ideal of peace and promotes the Olympic spirits.

The countries that the sacred flame had reached could seize the opportunity to carry forward their national cultural heritage and promote the understanding between them and the rest of the world.

"According to my knowledge, the preparations and arrangements for the Beijing Olympic Games are proceeding well as scheduled and the Chinese government, their people and athletes are doing their utmost for the grand sports event," said Kim. "I'm justified in believing that it will offer an unparalleled opportunity to further enhance China's international image and facilitate its development."

As Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee, deemed the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games as the most successful in history, said Kim, "I believe the Beijing Olympic Games will achieve unprecedented success in history."

Towards the end of the interview, the Olympic chief expressed his hope that the Beijing Olympic Games will impress the athletes and spectators from around the world with their orderly and pleasant atmosphere, adequate service and impartial judges.

The Olympic flame will head for Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) following the conclusion of its 17th stopover in Seoul. It will be the first time for the torch to be relayed between the capitals of South Korea and the DPRK.

Kim pointed out the particular symbolic significance of such an arrangement, saying that the Olympic torch handover between south and north parts of the Korean Peninsula symbolizes peace, reconciliation and cooperation.