The day before voting for the host city of the 2030 World Expo, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Nov. 27 leaves the Palais des Congres of Issy-les-Moulineaux, the venue of the election in Paris and general assembly of the International Bureau of Expositions, after finishing rehearsal of Busan's final bid presentation. (Yonhap News)

By Jung Joo-ri
 

The delegation from the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan in Paris through Nov. 27 made its final pitch for Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo until the day before the election of the host city.

The Prime Minister's Office on Nov. 28 said Prime Minister Han Duck-soo held talks with representatives from member countries of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) and attended an invitational luncheon seminar for them. He also went to a congratulatory reception for the Expo 2027 Belgrade, a BIE-sanctioned event slated for 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Targeting a variety of BIE member countries, he highlighted Korea's intent to resolve common issues faced by humankind such as climate change, technological and economic development, and inclusive growth and urged them to support Korea in its hosting bid.

The prime minister was joined by other high-profile government officials such as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon Kyu and Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Oh Youngju, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

The private sector also championed the bid until the last minute. Based on demand for business cooperation, high-ranking executives from conglomerates like Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who is concurrently head of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, visited Paris to propose expansion of business opportunities with Korea should Busan host the event, focusing on getting support from BIE member countries. 

The Citizens Committee World Expo 2030 Busan Korea under Busan Metropolitan City also made last-minute efforts by hosting interactive Hanbok (traditional attire) events for visitors at tourist attractions in Paris like Notre Dame Cathedral and Montmartre Hill and decorating the Seine River with cheongsachorong, or traditional lanterns made with blue and red silk patchwork. 

"As of today, the bid committee has completed a 17-month journey of bid negotiations abroad that involved making 495 laps around the world since its launch in July last year," the Prime Minister's Office said. "Backed by our promotional activities that ended today, the government will do its utmost to prepare for its final presentation so that it leads to more support for the Republic of Korea."

Held every five years, the World Expo is considered one of the world's three largest events along with the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. At its general assembly on Nov. 28, the BIE will have its 182 member countries vote for the host city of the 2030 edition after hearing 20-minute presentations from each of the three candidate cities in the order of Busan, Rome and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

etoilejr@korea.kr