By Kim Eun-young
Video= official YouTube channel of World Expo 2030 Busan Korea

K-pop super group BTS will serve as promotional ambassador for Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo.

The appointment ceremony was held on July 19 at the headquarters of the boy band's entertainment agency Hybe in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, also co-chair of the national committee for hosting the expo, SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, who also heads the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and all seven members of the group attended the event.

The ceremony was livestreamed on the official YouTube channel of World Expo 2030 Busan Korea, attracting an estimated 200,000 online spectators.

In his introductory speech, the prime minister said, "Korea has had the capacity to successfully host world expos in Daejeon and Yeosu (Jeollanam-do Province)," adding, "If the public and private sectors collaborate, we can do it again."

"The interest and support of our people and those around the world are the most important for the bid," he said. "We expect BTS to play a central role in this."

Choi said, "We have thousands of troops (immense support). Late last year, Army (BTS' fan community) members from 197 countries watched the group's online concert, more than the 170 member states of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE)."

"We look forward to seeing how the bid situation changes if BTS joins us."

BTS members on July 19 take a commemorative photo at the ceremony for their appointment as promotional ambassadors for Busan's bid for the 2030 World Expo at Hybe headquarters in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Yonhap News)

Group leader RM said after receiving the appointment certificate, "We will strive to ensure that Busan hosts the 2030 World Expo," adding, "We will do our best in various fields not only for hosting of the expo, but also promoting Korea's beautiful nature and culture to the world."

BTS will pursue activities such as holding a large-scale concert in October to promote Busan's bid and fulfilling its role as promotional ambassador at the BIE's general assembly, where the winning city will be announced.

Former promotional ambassadors for the bid are actor Lee Jung-jae, who starred in the smash Netflix drama "Squid Game," and the virtual social media influencer Rozy.

The host city of the 2030 event will be decided at the end of next year through a referendum by member states following announcements on three rounds of competition among bidding cities and on-site inspections. If Busan is selected, the expo will be held in 2030 from May to October at the northern section of the city's port under the theme "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future."

eykim86@korea.kr