NEW YORK, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) — After focusing on efforts to help South Korea's alpine city of PyeongChang become the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kim Yu-na of South Korea, an international figure skating star, said Thursday she would step up charitable activities for the rest of the year.

 

   "I would like to increase UNICEF activities in the latter part of this year," Kim told reporters at the U.N.'s annual event to ring the symbolic Peace Bell here. The 21-year-old South Korean is the reigning world's female figure skating champion and also serves as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

 

   Kim was attending the event, joined by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, other U.N. officials and goodwill ambassadors of the other U.N. agencies.

 

   She said she would not become a nominal goodwill ambassador, expressing her willingness to lend actual help to children in need around the world.

 

   "Since I am still an athlete, I first want to help other athletes," Kim said. "I would like to encourage young athletes, even with pep talks."

 

   Asked about her various activities, she said she still feels most comfortable on ice.

 

   "I feel awkward and find myself in difficulty attending other official events," she said.

 

   A member of the PyeongChang athletes commission, Kim made an impressive presentation at a session of the International Olympic Committee in Durban, South Africa, in July on the city's plan and vision for the 2018 Games.

 

Source: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2011/09/16/78/0200000000AEN20110916000600315F.HTML