Hyundai fully backing Yeosu

By Kim Tae-gyu

Hyundai Motor Group has vowed its continued support for the upcoming 2012 Yeosu Expo, which the nation’s leading automotive conglomerate expects will help Korea raise its global profile.

Its Chairman Chung Mong-koo made the remarks Thursday on his visit to the southwestern coastal city, which will host the international event from May 12 to Aug. 12.

``The Yeosu Expo will become a festival for people from across the world. Once it is successful, Korea will be able to improve its brand power greatly,’’ the 73-year-old tycoon said.

``Based on a variety of measures, Hyundai Motor Group is determined to reward people’s support for the success of the event.’’

The Yeosu Expo will deal with the best practices for the preservation and the reasonable development of oceans, coastal areas and maritime resources, according to its organization committee headed by Chairman Kang Dong-suk.

With four months to go, almost 90 percent of the construction work is completed. The railroad for the KTX bullet train has been extended so that people in Seoul can reach the venue in less than three hours.

``I appreciate the efforts of Yeosu Expo officials and Yeosu citizens for the fast construction. I am certain that this event will be a maritime expo, which will go down in history for a long time,’’ Kang said.

Chung played a pivotal role in boosting Yeosu’s attempts to host the quadrennial event in 2007 when he assumed the post of honorary president of the Yeosu bid committee.

He visited a total of 11 countries across the world to meet high-ranking bureaucrats and politicians, a journey whose total flight distance amounted to more than 126,000 kilometers.

After Yeosu won the right to hold the expo, Hyundai Motor Group and Chung did not spare any efforts to underpin it.

The group became the first top-rated partner for the expo late last year and has mentioned it in global advertisements. The Seoul-based chaebol also plans to offer vehicles for the three-month event.

Inside the exhibition halls, Hyundai Motor Group is poised to establish a 1,398-square-meter booth.

More than 100 nations have confirmed they will take part in the expo, which is expected to draw some 8 million visitors. It is also predicted to generate 12.2 trillion won as well as creating 79,000 jobs.