By Kim Hyun-cheol
Staff Reporter
Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group invited a former president of the Chilean National Assembly to express gratitude for the Latin American country's support for South Korea's hosting of the 2012 EXPO, Friday.
Chung Mong-koo, chairman of the automaker and president of the 2012 Yeosu EXPO Steering Committee, met with Andres Zaldivar, president of Chile-Korea Society, at the group's headquarters to give thanks to the former Chilean senator for his role in building Latin American support for Korea in the country's campaign to host the event.
Chung also expected Chile to play a pivotal role to help as many Latin American countries as possible participate in the EXPO making the best of its influence in the continent.
``We would like to send our sincerest gratitude to you for his efforts for Chile's joining the International Exhibitions Bureau and in the process of combining support from other Latin American countries for our hosting the EXPO,'' Chung told Zaldivar.
He also said South Korea and Chile are making synergy effects since signing the free trading agreement (FTA) five years ago, taking growing popularity of Chilean wine in the local market as well as Korean automobiles snatching the top position in the imported car market in Chile for example.
Zaldivar, in return, said he expects the Yeosu EXPO to makes a breakthrough for a new development for the both countries because the theme of the exhibition, ``The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities,'' well corresponds to the two countries' circumstances.
``Trade amounts more than quadrupled since the bilateral FTA,'' Zaldivar said. ``I expect there will be active exchanges in more businesses including services and energy resources.''