Germany has congratulated South Korea’s Pyeongchang on its successful bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games while expressing deep regret over Munich's loss.

Munich was a contender for the title but fell to Pyeonchang which gained the majority of votes in the first round of voting at the International Olympic Committee's 123rd Session in Durban, South Africa Wednesday evening local time.

German media said Thursday that tens of thousands of Germans that had gathered at Marien Plaza in Munich expressed deep disappointment when their city was not announced as the future host of the Winter Games.

German news broadcaster, n-tv, said Pyeongchang was awarded for its hard work over the past decade to realize an Olympic bid. The report said Munich’s efforts were lacking, despite its bid committee adding German soccer hero Franz Beckenbauer to its campaign.

Munich Mayor Christian Ude congratulated Pyeongchang and wished the city every success in hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018.