Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan signs MOU with Hyundai Motor Group
World Expo 2030 Busan Bid Committee Secretary General Yoon Sang-jik, right, and Hyundai Motor Company Senior Vice President Kim Dong-wook hold a copy of a signed memorandum of understating at D Tower in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Lee Kyung-min
By Lee Kyung-min
The public-private committee promoting Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hyundai Motor Group, in a coordinated effort to illustrate the capabilities of Korea's infrastructure and technological advancements in high-tech and green electric vehicles (EVs), market watchers said, Tuesday.
The joint cooperation is in preparation for next week's visit by the Enquiry Missions of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), an intergovernmental organization in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos. The Enquiry Missions comprised of key BIE officials and member states will stay for five days through April 7 to review the feasibility and viability of holding the Expo here as well as the level of national support for the international event.
Hyundai Motor and the World Expo 2030 Busan Bid Committee signed 12 MOUs which will see the provision of eight high-end G80 electric models and four express buses for the Missions.
The cutting-edge EVs signify to the Missions that Korea's leading car manufacturer is committed to carbon neutrality, as increasingly prioritized by the global community, the committee said.
“The Missions will be able to experience first-hand what future green mobility would look like,” Committee Secretary General Yoon Sang-jik said during the MOU signing ceremony at D Tower in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. “Eco-friendly sustainable technologies are already a key part of everyday life for many in Korea, as enabled by Korea's leading firm Hyundai.”
Hyundai Motor Company Senior Vice President Kim Dong-wook said the role of Hyundai vehicles will not be limited to transportation but rather will become a mechanism for the redefinition of green, sustainable technologies in the era of carbon neutrality.
“We have tried to best accommodate the needs of the Missions to help them understand Korea is ready, willing and able to host the event. I hope our efforts translate to a positive outcome,” Kim said.
On Sunday, Hyundai Motor released a video titled “Busan citizens invite you all,” in which Busan citizens shared their high hopes and vision to host the Expo. The video is available in 15 languages used by BIE member countries.