Countdown to Expo begins: PM embarks on Africa-Europe trip to promote Busan's bid

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo walks toward the departure gate of Incheon International Airport, Sunday, to begin his weeklong trip to Africa and Europe. Courtesy of prime minister's office

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo departed for Malawi, Sunday, on a whistle-stop tour across Africa and Europe in a last-ditch effort to promote Busan’s bid to host World Expo 2030.

Over the next week, Han will meet with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and the top-level leaders of Togo, Cameroon, Norway and Finland to seek their support for the Korean city’s endeavor ahead of the Nov. 28 Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) General Assembly, where the winner will be announced.

The trip comes as Busan’s tight race heats up in a three-way contest against Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Italy’s Rome.

“The prime minister will make his utmost effort to garner their support while strengthening diplomatic relations with each country,” said an official at the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

According to the prime minister’s office, Han is taking only a small group of aides and other officials with him to make the trip efficient and fast as they are going to travel some 33,000 kilometers across two continents.

Over the past year, Han and other campaign leaders have focused on promoting the Busan Initiatives, through which it offers long-term support to developing countries ― especially in Africa as well as Central and South America ― as many seek to learn from Korea’s economic rise following its humble beginnings, which they can relate to themselves.

During the assembly in Paris, the candidate cities will deliver their final presentations before 182 member states who will then elect a winner by secret ballot.