By Sa Eun-young
Staff Reporter
Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo Wednesday assumed the honorary chairmanship of the Bidding Committee for the Yeosu Expo 2012.
Chung, 69, received an exposition badge from Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
The prime minister asked the honorary chairman for his full support for the bid.
Chairman Kim Jae-chul of the bidding committee, presented Chung with a letter of appointment.
Among those present at the event were Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Kang Moo-hyun and South Jeolla Province Governor Park Joon-young.
``Chung's appointment and the audience with Prime Minister Han can be seen as an all-out effort from public and private sectors to support Yeosu's selection as the host city for the 2012 Expo," a government official said.
Chung expressed gratitude for having been selected as honorary chairman from among CEOs of numerous companies that are working together for the successful bid of Yeosu and pledged that his group will perform a greater role.
Chung's appointment as honorary chairman comes in hopes that he will give Yeosu the final boost it needs for a successful bid, according to a Yeosu bidding committee official.
The committee also believes that Chung's past experience of heading the bid for the 2010 World Expo will add weight to Yeosu's second attempt.
Chung previously served as adviser to the bidding committee. In April and May, Chung made stops around the world to meet with several high-level officials in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey and Brazil in efforts to promote Yeosu's bid for the Expo.
Yeosu recently decided to name Chung as an honorary citizen in recognition of his endeavors in promoting the city for the international event.
The venue of the 2012 Expo will be selected on Nov. 27. Yeosu is vying with Tangier in Morocco and Wroclaw in Poland.