Busan citizens unite to welcome BIE Enquiry Mission's arrival in city

People from a local multicultural support center in Busan's Dong District welcome the arrival of the BIE Enquiry Mission at Busan Station, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Busan Station flooded with locals high on Expo fever

By Ko Dong-hwan

BUSAN ― Outside Busan Station on Tuesday morning, crowds were bustling like the moments before a department store opens its doors for a big sale. As eight members of the Enquiry Mission from the Bureau International des Expositions from Paris were expected to arrive at the train station a little past 11 a.m., Eurasia Platform, a public square just outside the station's main entrance, was packed with thousands of Busan locals including foreigners.

Some people in the crowd were wearing costumes of different countries and cultures. They were there to throw a welcoming event for the delegation arriving at the southern port city to inspect its ability to host World Expo 2030.

The level of public enthusiasm for the hosting bid is one of the checklist items of the delegation.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon welcomed the guests at the platform as they got off a KTX train. The mayor escorted them to outside the station where they met with some 5,000 people exploding with welcoming vitality. With flags of different countries and giant banners that read "World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea" and "Busan is Ready" flying overhead, the atmosphere at the site was akin to a hero's return.

The delegation reportedly remarked after encountering the reception that it was something only Korea and Busan could pull off and that they felt like K-pop stars.

The delegation, with the crowd behind them, headed to Eulsukdo Eco Park, an estuary area where the South Sea meets the Nakdong River ― the country's longest natural stream ― some 15 kilometers west of Busan Station. They watched another presentation at the park.

Confetti drops from the sky at Eurasia Platform in front of Busan Station after the BIE Enquiry Mission left the site, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Busan Station, just within a kilometer from the North Port, the main venue of the World Expo 2030 now under major redevelopment, already saw events and visitors all supporting the city's Expo bid.

Earlier on Saturday at about 10 a.m., thousands of locals gathered at Eurasia Platform for a walkathon that began at the train station and ended at a waterside park inside North Port via a recently-completed skywalk.

A flea market also opened at the square simultaneously to celebrate the city's initiative, where 34 small businesses and members of social cooperatives sold various knick-knacks, tasty treats and traditional products.

Musical performances continued throughout the day culminating in the city's volunteer firefighters and official Expo supporters' club gathering at Eurasia Platform to declare their united support before the highly-anticipated visit by a BIE inspection team. City mayors nationwide, ministers and lawmakers sent video messages also voicing their support.

On Saturday, Busan residents told The Korea Times not just why the city must host the Expo, but also what the BIE inspection team and foreign visitors should do to make their visits more memorable.

"Busan will see a lot of improvement if it gets to host the Expo," said Kim Min-kyo, who took part in the walkathon. "I heard about the BIE mission's Busan visit and I hope they will discover many good things here so that the Expo will be held in this beautiful city."

Members of the BIE Enquiry Mission and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, fourth from left, pose with flower bouquets after arriving at Busan Station, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

The southern port city has seen a burgeoning tourism industry, which is a clear reason why it deserves to host the world Expo, said Kang Ji-sun, a high school student.

"Busan is known as the country's second capital and I think that reflects the city's significance for the country," she said. "The people of Busan are nice, generous and kind-hearted and the city has many good things to offer. I hope that the BIE mission will take a close look at our city and promote Busan to the world so that more tourists can visit."

Other residents were proud of the natural beauty evident along the city's coastline.

"With pristine natural surroundings preserved, Busan is by far the most symbolic maritime city in Korea," said Kwon Woo-young, the chairman of the board of International Health Beauty Expert Association. "More people around the world should learn that Seoul isn't the only place to visit in Korea. Not just Busan citizens, but people from across the country must be looking forward to Busan hosting the Expo."

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Older residents of the port city were more concerned about the problems currently facing Busan, such as a declining population of young people. They believe the Expo can solve those problems.

"Young people are exiting Busan. To make the city a better place for them, we must host the Expo," said Kim Tae-boo, president of the advisory committee at the ruling People Power Party's Busan Chapter. "We will do our best to guide the BIE mission to the city's most notable and respected spots. We will also do our best to contribute to the nation's efforts to compete in the BIE race (against Riyadh, Rome and Odesa)."

"It's a global event and a chance for Busan to advance itself," said Jung Soo-tae, who leads the city's social community cooperatives association, smiling while holding his grandson's hand.

"People in Busan are nice. Not just the BIE mission folks but people from all over the world must come to here and enjoy the local atmosphere. We are ready," he added.

Kwon Woo-young, center, chairperson of the board of International Health Beauty Expert Association, and staff members of the organization pose ahead of a walkathon at Busan Station, Saturday. Screen capture from Korea Times video by Kim Kang-min

As Kang said, Busan is known as the country's second capital. The reference not only comes from its economic significance to the nation, but has more to do with relaxing and having fun, with the open sea just a stone's throw away.

"Because Busan is close to the sea, I think tourists' best shots are the beach areas of Gwangalli and Haeundae," Kim Min-kyo said. "I recently visited the waterside park at North Port Expo venue. They are awesome. I hope the BIE mission takes a broad look across the city."

Kwon concurred with Kim's idea.

"Many tourist destinations in Busan are concentrated along the coast. Travel along the coast and drop by at Haeundae, Gwangalli, Gijang County and Osiria, a special leisure district. You'll see what I'm talking about."

Kang, who was running one of the booths at the flea market, recommended something else without hesitation.

"I like Busan Citizens Park (in Busanjin District). It's huge and has lots of feature sections so if you have kids, it's a perfect spot to visit," she said.

Jung Soo-tae, left, the chairman of the board of Busan's social community cooperatives association, and his grandson, both dressed in the traditional Korean costume, hanbok, pose before a walkathon at Eurasia Platform in front of Busan Station, Saturday. Screen capture from Korea Times video by Kim Kang-min

Other interviewees also proposed Taejongdae Cliff Coast and Blue Line Park Coastal Train that runs between Haeundae and Songjeong areas, both of which offer some of the city's closest views to the coast and breathtaking geological features that contour the shoreline.

Others mentioned the port city's culinary offerings.

"Pork and rice soup ('dwaeji gukbap' in Korean), wheat noodles in a cold meat broth or a spice sauce ('milmyeon' in Korean) and roasted hagfish ('kkomjangeo' in Korean)," said Kwon.

Dwaeji gukbap and milmyeon were the most popular picks by the interviewees. There are hundreds of famous signature dishes in Busan that attract foodies from across the country. More than that, they are more deep-rooted and famous than any other local street dishes.

"It's hard to answer out of the blue…but I will have to say dwaeji gukbap," said Kim Tae-boo after making the most difficult choice of the moment. "But I'm not sure if foreigners will like it."

Kang, once again, came up with differentiated choices.

Sweet pancakes with seeds (inside) are being baked at BIFF Square in Busan, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

"Boiled rice cake stick ('multteok' in Korean)," she said. "It's only found in Busan. Not many people know about spicy glass noodles in Busan either. But you won't regret it."

Previously on March 23, some 50 ambassadors and representatives of foreign missions in Korea got together at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall where The Korea Times hosted annual spring concert. This year, it was held to support Busan's World Expo hosting bid.

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Korea Sami M. Alsadhan noted that the timing of the concert also marks the beginning of Ramadan, the holy Muslim month.

"But I'm sure that the concert is going to be excellent after a long day," he told The Korea Times.

Saudi Arabia's Riyadh is competing against Busan for the World Expo 2030 bid, but the ambassador gladly shook hands with the mayor of the southern port city.

"It's a friendly competition, right? If Busan wins, Saudi Arabia will participate and I'm sure that Korea will participate if Saudi Arabia wins. Our relationship is better than ever and we have to protect this relationship," Alsadhan said.