Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Nov. 14 gives the opening speech at a breakfast seminar for delegates from member countries of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) at Maison de Busan in Paris hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (Prime Minister's Office)

By Hong Angie

Prime Minister Han Duck Soo on Nov. 26 left for Paris two days before the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) announces which city will host the 2030 World Expo at its general assembly in the French capital. 

The Prime Minister's Office that day said he will stay there through Nov. 30 to attend the general assembly, where BIE member states will vote for the host city.

The prime minister will hold meetings with delegates from such countries right up to the voting to lobby for their support for Busan's bid.

The Prime Minister's Office said, "We will explain our government's vision to make sure that the Busan Expo is not just a one-off event, but a platform where the world gathers to share wisdom on common problems faced by humanity such as climate change, inequality and the digital divide."

As co-chair of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, the prime minister said, "We started later than other competing countries but have since run hard," adding, "We'll do our unwavering best until the end to deliver good news to the nation."

The expo's host city will be announced on Nov. 28 at the BIE general assembly held at its Paris headquarters. From 2 p.m. that day, the candidate cities of Busan, Rome and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will each give a final 20-minute bid presentation in that order.

The first round of voting by the BIE's 182 member states for the host city will begin at 4 p.m. The city that earns two-thirds of the votes will land the bid, but if no such majority occurs, the candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated and a second vote will choose the winner between the remaining two cities.

shong9412@korea.kr