The Pyeongchang Winter Olympic bidding committee has returned home from Durban, South Africa after successfully lobbying for a vote that determined the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

About 180 committee officials and athletes, including committee chairman Cho Yang-ho, arrived at Incheon International Airport on Friday to an enthusiastic greeting from government officials and citizens.

In a news conference held after a welcome ceremony, the committee promised to launch efforts to prepare for the event by forming an organizing committee as soon as possible.

Figure skater Kim Yu-na did not attend the welcome ceremony due to sickness.