Big-name companies join forces to rally support for Busan’s World Expo bid

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Big-name companies join forces to rally support for Busan’s World Expo bid

Published: 20 Mar. 2023, 18:23 Updated: 02 Apr. 2023, 12:33

A poster for a promotional event organized by the Busan Expo bidding committee in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, from March 30 to April 3 [MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND ENERGY]

LG’s self-driving vehicle, Samsung’s latest Galaxy series and SK’s energy technologies will be brought together in central Seoul for a promotional event to rally support for Busan’s bid to host the World Expo in 2030.

The Busan Expo bidding committee said Monday that it will set up an outdoor exhibition at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul from March 30 to April 3, to bring the World Expo to the southeastern port city.

The event is taking place ahead of an on-site visit by the inspection team from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which is scheduled from April 2 to 7.

The inspection team will visit Seoul for two days before heading to Busan.

The promotional event will consist of three parts: Time to Expo, an exhibition zone focusing on the history of the World Expo; Feel the Expo, in which private companies and the Busan City Government will set up booths to showcase their latest technologies, products and content; and Vibe with Expo, where the government and public institutes are going to install visual arts and promotional banners.

Booths will be set up in Gwanghwamun Square by Korea’s largest conglomerates taking part in the private-led Busan Expo bidding committee.

Samsung Electronics plans to set up an experience zone for its Galaxy series. Hyundai Motor Group will display Kia’s EV9 large all-electric sport utility vehicle wrapped with the Busan World Expo logo.

LG will display its Omnipod self-driving vehicle, which is designed to provide a spacious cabin for camping and other various lifestyle activities. SK companies will run an experience zone for its eco-friendly technologies.

The exhibition will be open each day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chaired by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, a private sector-led bid committee comprised of Korea's big-name companies was launched in May last year.

“This event is going to be a participatory festival in which not only the government and Busan City but also Korea’s leading global companies will take part,” said Yoon Sang-jik, the secretary general of the bidding committee.

Busan is competing with Rome, Riyadh and Odesa to host the expo in 2030. The host country will be decided by a vote of 171 BIE member countries in November during a general assembly in Paris.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]