President Roh Moo-hyun has stepped up efforts to help Pyeongchang win the right to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

The president, who is attending an International Olympic Committee Meeting in Guatemala City to make his last push, met with IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge to persuade him to vote for the Korean bid.

Also joining the meeting were Korean IOC members Lee Kun-hee and Park Yong-sung, Pyeongchang bid committee Chairman Han Seung-soo and Gangwon Province Governor Kim Jin-sun.

Mr. Roh told Rogge that the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games had contributed to Korea's development, stressing that the Korean people strongly aspire to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

The Korean president praised the IOC chief's leadership as evidenced by his efforts to make the bidding race transparent.

According to presidential spokesman Chun Ho-sun, Rogge said in response that Pyeongchang has made brilliant preparations to win the bid, acknowledging Korea’s contribution to the global sports community and to the Olympics.

Meanwhile, the president decided not to attend Thurday morning's ceremony to announce the host city, joining the leaders of rival bid countries Russia and Austria in opting out.