SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo said Friday that he expects the Beijing Paralympics to be a stage where the dreams of the disabled will come true.

    In an interview with Xinhua, Han said he will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics, the first time for a South Korean prime minister.

    Before departing for Beijing, he expressed appreciation of the Chinese government and people for their efforts and enthusiasm in preparations for the Games.

    The 71-year-old prime minister is a sports fan himself. He likes mountain hikes and the game of go. He was the chairman of the bid committee for the South Korean resort of Pyeongchang to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

    He said that since the first Paralympic Games was held in Rome in 1960, the event has become a world stage for the disabled to make their dreams come true.

    The event will provide an opportunity for disabled-bodied athletes to overcome their physical handicaps, tap their potential and experience human equality, he said.

    The prime minister also hopes that the Beijing Paralympics will give impetus to international exchanges for the rights of the disabled, so that all countries will create conditions for the disabled to enjoy common life.

    Around 4,000 athletes from 148 countries and regions will participate in 20 sports at the 13th Paralympics from Sept. 6 to 17.

    According to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, Beijing has braced itself for the opening of the largest-ever Paralympics Saturday, with all venue preparations and athletes' registration completed, and over 178,000 Games-related staff and more than 400,000 volunteers in place.

    The South Korean prime minister hailed the success of the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Olympics, saying it has brought hope and sensation not only to the Chinese people, but to the people of the world.

    The success reflects the outstanding leadership of the Chinese government and the huge potential of the Chinese people, in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, according to the prime minister.

    During the Beijing Olympics, South Korean athletes achieved good results amid warm cheers of the Chinese audiences, he said, adding that the South Korean people will cherish the memory of the Games.