"I proposed adding a Culture Olympics to the Olympic Games and the Paralympics to IOC president Thomas Bach, whom I met during the Beijing Winter Olympics and received a positive answer," Hwang said.

"I will visit the IOC in March, if necessary, to deliver a briefing," added Hwang, who led the South Korean Government delegation in Beijing.

"It is a field that can best represent the Olympic spirit of minimizing cultural differences and bringing about peace and harmony."

He claims Bach had indicated it was a "good idea".

Hwang’s proposals included a competitive cultural competition which could be decided by a vote by participants and members of the public.

Hwang believes this could represent an opportunity to increase the Olympic movement's influence at the United Nations.

Hwang’s idea could mean a revival of artistic contests which were included in the Olympics from 1912 to 1948.

Entrants were judged in painting, sculpture, architecture, music and poetry and entries were usually exhibited at the time of the Olympic Games.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin was an enthusiastic supporter of art and culture and won a medal for his "Ode to Sport", composed under a pseudonym.

Since then, many host cities have operated a non-competitive "Cultural Olympiad" in conjunction with the Olympic Games.

This has typically been held over the four years before an Olympic Games.

Prominent cultural events took place when Seoul held the Olympics in 1988 and works of art remain on display in the Olympic Park.

There was a limited "Olympic Agora" which showcased art in both Tokyo and Beijing despite the pandemic, although much of the activity was online in both cases.

A programme of "artists in residence" has already been introduced for athletes who have also created artistic work.