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| Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin, sixth from left, poses with company employees during an event to promote Busan's bid to host World Expo 2023 at the Lotte Open golf tournament in Incheon, Saturday. Courtesy of Lotte Group |
By Kim Jae-heun
Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin promised to fully support Busan's bid to host the World Expo in 2030, during his visit to the KLPGA Lotte Open golf tournament held in Incheon, Saturday, company officials said Monday.
"As we have only six months left until the day of selecting a host for 2030 World Expo, Lotte will mobilize all its capabilities to support Busan," Shin said.
Lotte Group carried out publicity activities to promote Busan's World Expo bid during its golf tournament held between June 1 and 4.
The company installed a photo zone and played promotional videos of Busan in the gallery plaza zone at the golf course, where six affiliates of Lotte Group gathered.
Busan Metropolitan City's seagull mascot Boogie and Lotte Homeshopping's popular character Belly Gom appeared at the golf tournament on the weekend to cheer for Busan's Expo campaign.
It also displayed a message saying "Lotte Group is supporting Busan's successful bid for the World Expo" on a gallery stand at an event hole to advertise the event to TV audiences watching the golf tournament. Caddies wore vests displaying a phrase cheering for Busan too.
"Apart from the Lotte Open, we plan to actively support Busan's bid at other sports events and global business meetings where people and members of the International Expo Organization gather," a Lotte Holdings official said.
The Lotte Open, which marks its third anniversary this year, is a new competition that started in 2021. Before, the tournament was held for 10 years under the name Lotte Cantata Ladies Open.
Last year, the sponsor firm introduced Lotte Pleasure Hall on the seventh hole of the Lotte Open, where visitors can drink beer while watching the golf tournament for the first time in the country.
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