Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Korean biz leaders pitch Expo bid for BIE mission
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won, sixth from left, poses with BIE inspection team members and KCCI Global Supporters at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Korean business leaders held a welcome luncheon for the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) inspection team, Monday, to convey the firm will of the Korean business community to host the event in 2030.
“We warmly welcome the BIE inspection team to Korea. A tough process is expected, but Korea and Busan are ready,” Chey Tae-won, co-chair of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan and chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said during a luncheon at the Shilla Hotel. Chey, who is also chairman of SK Group, has been leading the private sector's campaign to win the right to host the World Expo in Busan in 2030.
“You visited Korea during the most beautiful time of the year. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the spring breeze and warm sunlight also illuminate Seoul. If you go to Busan, you will probably face more beautiful scenery with the sea breeze and the scent of the ocean welcoming you,” he said.
The luncheon was attended by major conglomerate executives including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, SK, LG and POSCO among other companies as well as KCCI Vice Chairman Woo Tae-hee, Korea's Ambassador to France Choi Jai-chul and Yoon Sang-jik, secretary general of the bid committee for the World Expo 2030 Busan.
The inspection team will scrutinize 14 categories during its visit to Korea from April 2 to 7, including the reason and theme of the World Expo in Busan, infrastructure facilities such as venues and transportation, accommodation measures, financial plan and the number of exhibition participants and visitors.
The eight-member delegation, led by BIE Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht, will prepare a report after conducting the in-depth evaluation of the candidate country's attraction capacity, preparation level, and public interest. The report containing the on-site inspection evaluation will be distributed to 171 member countries at the BIE general meeting in June.
KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, fourth from left, along with BIE inspection team and government and business officials are escorted by the four-legged robot “Spot” at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of KCCI
Boston Dynamics' Spot, a four-legged robot, greeted the inspection team outdoors and escorted them to the luncheon hall. Hyundai Motor was in charge of operating the robot.
“Busan is a representative city of Korea in various fields such as environment, future technology, development and welfare, and will become the best city in the country,” the Expo bid committee said. “You (BIE inspection team) will be able to fully confirm the government and companies' efforts and the people's passion across the country.”