2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics S. Korean athletes' inaugural ceremony

South Korea's athletes are counting down the days until their once-in-a-lifetime experience of competing at an Olympics in their home country.And with the fun just over two weeks away,... the South Korean team got together on Wednesday... and pledged to do their country proud on the world stage.Won Jung hwan reports. Nearly 220 people, including athletes and staff, who are part of the South Korean national Olympic team gathered in Seoul on Wednesday for their official launch ahead of the upcoming 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.Government officials and previous Olympic medalists also attended the event to encourage and show their support for Team Korea in the first winter Olympics hosted by the country. "We all know that every one of you have come a long way to be here,… and since this Winter Olympics are held here in South Korea, we also know that you will be under great pressure. But we know that you will give your all in the games, and so we encourage you to show the public your best efforts." The number of South Korean athletes who are set to compete in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics stands at 146,… and including staff members such as coaches and physicians, the total is close to 220 people who will head towards PyeongChang next month. Their goal is clear,... to give their all and their best during the games starting February 9. South Korea is aiming to win at least eight gold medals in PeyognChang 2018, and rank within the top four in the medal race. "Of course every athletes wants to go out there and win golds, even any of the medals beyond the podium, that's one of the good reasons why we are all here, but it's also that we all love the sport that we do." Wednesday's ceremony featured South Korea's chief delegate for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, Kim Ji-yong as the flag bearer of the South Korean flag. But after the International Olympic Committee held a meeting last Saturday, it was decided that the two Koreas will march in the opening ceremony as one delegation, and as such, there will be two flag bearers, one from the South and one from the North. The two Koreas will march together under the Korean Unification flag, marking the first joint Korean march into an opening ceremony at an international sports event in 11 years and the 10th joint march overall. Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.