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| Visitors watch a video promoting Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 inside a room at Busan City Hall, Jan. 3. Korea Times file |
By Lee Kyung-min
The government will hold an event to promote Korea's bid to hold the World Expo 2030 in Busan next week, according to the industry ministry, Monday.
The five-day event will be held at the Gwanghwamun square, Seoul, ahead of the visit early next month of a delegation from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). The BIE is an intergovernmental organization that is in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos. A variety of events will be held every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. between March 30 and April 3.
The expo promotion committee comprises the Prime Minister's Office, the industry ministry, the Busan Metropolitan Government, the Korea Chamber of Industry and Commerce (KCCI), Hyundai Motor and its sister firm Kia Motor, SK Group and LG Group among many others.
The ministry said private firms will each have an event to promote their flagship products and their brands at the square, where their booths will be set up alongside light-inspired sculptures and art installations.
Samsung, for example, will showcase its new Galaxy products at a user experience studio. Hyundai and Kia will exhibit their respective new electric vehicles including the EV9.
SK will run promotions for its green energy push. LG will operate a media aquarium and an OLED game zone.
Lotte will organize celebratory music and cultural performances. Shinsegae will hold an event where visitors will receive Starbucks tumblers and a brew-tasting event.
SPC will display and promote its new confectionery and rice-based products designed to optimize sustainable growth with local farmers.
Busan Metropolitan Government will exhibit content to raise awareness about climate change and the growing importance of renewables.
"Next week's event will be a national festival organized by the central government and Busan city, underpinned by Korea's industry leaders," the ministry said. "This will be an opportunity to sure up support from all across the country to show the delegation that Korea is ready, willing and able to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan."
The international event is held every five years and is considered one of the world's top three international events alongside the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.
Korea will compete against Saudi Arabia, Italy and Ukraine to host the prestigious event. The BIE delegation will review two presentations scheduled this year, one before June and the other before December.
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