FM makes final pitch in France for Busan World Expo 2030
Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin meets with Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions, in Paris, Nov. 3, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. Yonhap
Foreign Minister Park Jin made a final pitch in France this week to win support for Korea's bid to bring the 2030 World Expo to its southeastern city of Busan, his ministry said Saturday.
During a visit to Paris on Thursday and Friday, Park held luncheons and dinners with the ambassadors of 12 nations taking part in the vote that will decide the host of the World Expo, as well as with representatives of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the body responsible for overseeing the event.
Park requested each country's active support for Korea's bid, saying he hopes the megaevent will serve as a platform to discuss solutions to challenges such as climate change, the food crisis and the digital gap. He also stressed the Expo will bring practical benefits to participating nations.
Park also met separately with Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the BIE, to express Korea's wish to maintain close cooperation with the organization.
Korea is in a three-way race against Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Rome, Italy, with the host set to be decided during a BIE general assembly in Paris, Nov. 28. (Yonhap)