The South Korean sports community has called for nationwide support to develop winter sports, expressing deep disappointment as Pyeongchang lost its second bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Sports leaders urged the nation to lift their spirits and try for the 2018 event.

They noted that South Korea was comparatively weak in winter sports and would require much work to raise its competitiveness.

Korea Sports Council Secretary-General Kim Jae-chul said it would have been a miracle if Korea won its Winter Olympic bid because two other Korean cities, Daegu and Incheon, had won the rights to host the World Championships in Athletics and the Asian Games all in the same year.

Kim added that, nevertheless, he still felt sorry that the nation did not take home the hosting rights for the Winter Olympics despite its best efforts.

Meanwhile, figure skating star Kim Yu-na said that she would ask the Korean people for their continued interest in winter sports to feed the growth of less popular sports.