President Roh Moo-hyun sent a message Tuesday to the Yeosu World Expo Bidding Committee, congratulating the South Korean city over its selection as host of the 2012 event, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.
Yeosu, a port in South Jeolla Province on the southern coast of South Korea, defeated the Moroccan city of Tangier and the Polish city of Wroclaw in secret balloting held during the general conference of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) in Paris on Monday.
"Along with the entire Korean people, I'm pleased at the news of Yeosu winning the right to host the 2012 World Expo. I send particular congratulations to the citizens of Yeosu and South Jeolla Province," said Roh in the message.
"The World Expo will provide a valuable and fresh momentum for the development of the southern coast area, while helping to elevate the status of the Republic of Korea," said the president. The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea.
Roh asked Yeosu citizens and bidding committee officials to make greater efforts to successfully host the World Expo. Roh has vigorously campaigned for Yeosu over the past year, asking for full support from foreign leaders at bilateral and multiparty summit events.
Roh also made a congratulatory call to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has been staying in Paris to help encourage the South Korean city's last-minute campaign.
(Yonhap)