Park Ji-sung has been named as a Pyeongchang 2018 Torchbearer ©Pyeongchang 2018

Former South Korean footballer Park Ji-sung has been announced as the first Torchbearer of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Organisers have revealed today that the 36-year-old will carry the torch first after the lighting and handover ceremonies in Ancient Olympia in Greece on October 24.

He was named as an honorary ambassador of the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games back in August.

Park is one of the country's most recognisable footballers and scored 13 goals in 100 international appearances for his country.

He represented his nation at major tournaments, including at the 2002 World Cup, which South Korea co-hosted with Japan.

Park currently serves as a club ambassador for English Premier League side Manchester United, where he played his football from 2005 to 2012.

During his football career, Park won four Premier League titles along with the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as four Dutch Eredivisie crowns with PSV Eindhoven.

Park joins another South Korean football legend, Cha Bum-kun, and reigning Olympic fencing champion Park Sang-young as Torchbearers.

Cha and Park, winner of the individual épée at Rio 2016, will carry the Olympic flame in a group with youths from different parts of Korean society. 

They are part of a group named "Dream Mentors" for the young people, ranging from aspiring football stars to equestrians and dancers.

The Olympic Torch Relay starts in Incheon on November, exactly 100 days before the start of Pyeongchang 2018 ©Pyeongchang 2018
The Olympic Torch Relay starts in Incheon on November, exactly 100 days before the start of Pyeongchang 2018 ©Pyeongchang 2018

Joining Cha and Park are Cha Du-ri, Cha Bum-kun's son and current national men's team assistant coach; Lee Bong-ju, the 1996 Olympic marathon silver medalist; Sean, a recording artist and an honorary ambassador for Pyeongchang 2018; Jeong Jin-woon, a member of boy band 2AM; and Cho Sei-hon, a photographer and a Pyeongchang 2018 honorary ambassador.

The Relay is scheduled to begin on November 1 when the countdown to the first Winter Olympics in South Korea reaches 100 days.

The route will cover 2,018 kilometres through nine provinces, eight major cities, and 151 counties and districts.

The Relay will have 7,500 runners in total.

Under the slogan of "Let Everyone Shine," the Olympic Torch Relay will have five themes.

They are the same themes on which the Olympic Games themselves will also focus: the economy, the environment, IT, the arts and peace.