South Korea's Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Tuesday reiterated his vow to ensure the successful hosting of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics despite political turmoil sparked by the ouster of former President Park Geun-hye.

During his talks with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, Hwang underscored the government and citizens striving hard to overcome the current national crisis and thoroughly prepare for the quadrennial games.

"Though domestic political situations are unstable in some respects, (South Korea) has experience in tiding over challenges and achieving success," Hwang said. "We have made a lot of preparations as the Winter Games should be a festivity for the whole world."

Bach, in response, voiced hopes that the competition will serve as a chance to restore national unity, the prime minister's office said. The IOC chief also pledged constant support to South Korea, saying the Asian country and the IOC are on the same boat in preparation for the games.

The meeting was arranged amid growing concerns that Park's dismissal will adversely affect preparations for the Olympics that will be staged in PyeongChang and its nearby sub-host cities, Gangneung and Jeongseon, in Gangwon Province from Feb. 9 to 25 next year.

The Constitutional Court ruled last week to remove Park from office over a massive corruption scandal involving her and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil. The disgraced former leader now faces a prosecutorial probe. (Yonhap)