Yeosu expo can count on this good help

Former guides at the 1993 Daejon World Expo will lend a helping hand at the Yeosu World Expo in 2012. From left: Lee Gyeong, Kim Gyeong-suk, Kim Eun-hui, Kang Cheon-hak, Won So-hui and Seo Geum-suk. By Kim Sang-seon

When the city of Yeosu recently won the bid to host the 2012 World Expo, it set many wheels in motion.
On the 10th floor of the Korea Tourism Organization, there are six women who are gearing up for the expo.
They are veterans who know that it takes detailed preparation and passion to prepare an event of such magnitude. The expo is expected to draw around eight million people.
The six all helped as guides and served in other functions at the Daejon World Expo that was held in 1993.
When Kim Eun-hui, 37, heard the news that Yeosu got the nod this time, she received a call from the organization to give a helping hand.
“The experience that we have could be used to select the right people,” suggested Kim.
When Daejon hosted the event, 600 people were selected to help out in various areas, ranging from interpretation to protocol for high-profile guests.
Won So-hui, 38, an English instructor who served as an interpreter previously, said she would not mind helping out again.
After 1993, most of these helpers went back to their normal lives, but starting in 2005, they established an online community to keep in touch with each other.
Kang Cheon-hak, 37, who works as a secretary for the Ambassador of Brazil here, said, “We hope that the Yeosu expo will be as successful as the Daejon event. If the city calls us we will be ready to help at any time.”

By Min Dong-gi JoongAng Ilbo [africanu@joongang.co.kr]