The Olympic flame has arrived in South Korea. It will now begin a 100-day journey, culminating with the opening ceremony in February of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang. CGTN's Jack Barton has more from Seoul.

 

The word fighting might seem an odd chant on the Korean peninsula right now, but to locals, including the Prime Minister and ice skating champion Kim Yuna, it encapsulated their competitive spirit as the Olympic flame finally landed in South Korea.

 

LEE NAK-YEON SOUTH KOREAN PRIME MINISTER "From here the torch will be carried by 7,500 people for 2,018 kilometers across our land."

 

The torch will travel 2,018 kilometers in tribute to the year of the Games, passing through nine provinces and eight major cities before reaching the Olympic site about 180 kilometers east of the capital Seoul.

 

JACK BARTON INCHEON AIRPORT, SOUTH KOREA "Organizers hope that as the Olympic torch passes through each community in South Korea, it will drum up excitement as you see behind me, and that in turn will lead to increased ticket sales."

 

Only about 30% of tickets have been sold so far, though the expectation is that figure will climb as local interest rises and the current pause in tensions with the DPRK eases the concerns of many potential foreign visitors. After the Winter Olympic theme song was sung, it was time for the torch to hit the road for its 100 day journey. The Winter Olympics get underway on the 9th February and will feature about 3,000 athletes from 95 National Olympic Committees, though there has been no confirmation as yet on whether delegates or athletes from the DPRK will attend. Jack Barton, CGTN at Incheon airport.