Oceans ministry ready for BIE inspection of Busan's Expo bid

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan gives a briefing to foreign journalists at the Press Center in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

By Kim Jae-heun

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) said it is ready for an on-site inspection by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) scheduled from April 2 to 7 of Busan's ability to host the World Expo 2030.

The ministry has been jointly redeveloping Busan North Port with Busan Port Authority (BPA) since 2008 to provide key support facilities for the Expo in 2030. The project is divided into two stages and the first is almost completed.

“The first stage of the Busan North Port redevelopment project is nearly done. The construction of the roads and parks around the port is completed and a marina will open soon too. An opera house is still under construction and we are preparing contents related to culture and tourism,” Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan said during a meeting with reporters at Press Center in Seoul.

“The port is already in operation now and we are closely working with our allied nations to win Busan's bid for the Expo,” the minister added.

The MOF and BPA invested about 2.8 trillion won ($2.15 billion) to redevelop a 1.55 million-square-meter area in North Port to serve as an international gateway. They already constructed a 3.1 kilometer road to ease traffic congestion on Chungjang-daero southeast of Busan Station and to provide vehicle access to parks, the opera house and marina.

In addition, the ministry built a 333-meter-long pedestrian bridge that connects Busan Station and the International Passenger Terminal to enhance the convenience of visitors. There is also a coastal observatory that allows visitors to view Busan North Port and Busan Port Bridge that was partially built on the ocean.

“Busan Port will become a new economic, cultural, and tourism engine in Busan through the completion of major sites and infrastructure. We will do our best to secure competitiveness in winning the bid for World Expo 2030 in Busan and prepare for the BIE's visit next month,” the minister said.

Cho also emphasized that Korea's long-standing relationship with countries of the Pacific Islands Forum will help Busan win its bid to host the World Expo.

“We definitely have strength in infrastructure and information technology, but we have a strong relationship with PIF nations that support Busan,” the minister said.