The Lotte department store has launched its "Gather Our Wish Campaign for Pyeongchang 2018" with the aim of collecting 2,018,000 messages of support from the public visiting the company's 29 branches across South Korea.

The campaign was launched by Lotte in central Seoul with hundreds of Pyeongchang 2018 supporters taking part in activities such as dance competitions, face painting and watching cheerleader shows.

Lotte's campaign will last for three weeks until July 3, three days before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will vote in Durban on which city will host the Games, with Pyeongchang facing rivals Annecy and Munich. 

"We appreciate the ongoing support of our corporate sponsors – their committed backing has enabled us to communicate our message of 'New Horizons' around the world," said Yang Ho Cho, the chairman and chief executive of Pyeongchang 2018.

"Our partner organisations understand and believe in Pyeongchang's vision to spread winter sports to new regions and encourage a new generation of winter sports fans and athletes in Asia.

"As we head towards Durban now, it is also wonderful to see so many Pyeongchang 2018 fans across Korea show their passionate support for the bid."

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