As the first of the five candidate cities, the Busan Metropolitan Government on Dec. 14 at 9 p.m. Korean Standard Time (1 p.m. in Paris) held a 20-minute competitive presentation at the online General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) before 170 BIE member states. President Moon Jae-in is shown here in a video message expressing his government's full support for Busan's bid. (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)

By Kim Hayeon 

The nation's second-largest city of Busan has started the competition to land the Expo 2030 world's fair.

As the first of the five candidate cities, the Busan Metropolitan Government on Dec. 14 at 9 p.m. Korean Standard Time (1 p.m. in Paris) held a 20-minute competitive presentation at the online General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in the French capital, with 170 BIE member countries participating.

Under the theme "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future," the presentation featured speeches by leading Busan figures and a video introducing Korea's No. 2 city.

The focus was on explaining the significance and contents of major themes of a World Expo 2030 Busan and raising awareness of the city to BIE member states.

Because the presentation was done online, advanced virtual reality technology was applied to promote Busan more impressively and effectively

President Moon Jae-in also voiced the government's full support for the hosting bid in a video message, saying Korea is ready to usher in a sustainable future and share stories of solidarity, cooperation, inclusion and co-prosperity through the 2030 World Expo in Busan.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, Kim Young-ju, chairman of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, Ambassador for Economy and Trade Yoo Myung-hee, and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sung-wook also took part in the presentation.  

The other four candidate cities are Rome, Italy; Odessa, Ukraine; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Moscow, Russia.

hayeounk8@korea.kr