Yoon supports Busan expo bid as BIE delegation visits Seoul

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Yoon supports Busan expo bid as BIE delegation visits Seoul

Published: 03 Apr. 2023, 18:41 Updated: 03 Apr. 2023, 19:29

Spot, a four-legged robot, leads the way for the Bureau International des Expositions delegation, during the lunch event with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won in central Seoul, Monday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged full support for Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 Monday as a team from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) started its mission in Seoul by meeting with the executives of the country's biggest corporations.

The delegation had a luncheon with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who doubles as the head of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and presidents and vice presidents of Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor and LG Corp.

The BIE mission arrived in Korea for an on-site inspection Sunday to evaluate Busan's bid to host the event.

President Yoon instructed all government agencies to fully support the BIE delegation during its six-day stay in Korea.

"All government agencies should make utmost efforts to support the BIE inspection team's itinerary during its visit to Korea," Yoon said during a weekly meeting with his senior aides, according to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon.

The highlight of the luncheon was Spot, a four-legged robot dog tasked with escorting the delegation toward Hotel Shilla in Seoul.

The robot was developed by Boston Dynamics, a Massachusetts-based company 30 percent owned by Hyundai Motor, 20 percent by Hyundai Mobis, 20 percent by Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and 10 percent by Hyundai Glovis.

“We are seeing a tough ride ahead — but Korea and Busan are ready,” Chey said in his remarks during the event, according to the KCCI.

The SK head said that the BIE delegation “visited Korea at the best time of the year, with cherry blossoms blooming, warm spring breeze blowing and sunshine shining bright on Seoul.

“The scenery you will encounter in Busan will be even more beautiful,” Chey added.

Patrick Specht, president of the BIE's Administration and Budget Committee, speaks during a presentation session on Busan's proposal to host the 2030 World Expo on Monday at Hotel Shilla in central Seoul. [BID COMMITTEE FOR WORLD EXPO 2030 BUSAN, KOREA]

The SK chief co-chairs the Busan Expo bid promotion committee with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Some 20 participants attended the Monday lunch event, including Park Seung-hee, Samsung Electronics president; Lee Hyung-hee, chairman of SK Supex Council’s Communication Committee; Kim Dong-wook, Hyundai Motor executive vice president; Ha Beom-jong, LG Corp. president and chief financial officer; Jeong Tak, Posco International CEO; Woo Moo-hyun, president of GS Engineering and Construction; Ka Sam-hyun, KSOE co-CEO; Kang Heui-seok, Emart CEO; and Woo Kee-hong, Korean Air Lines president.

Choi Jae-chul, Korea’s ambassador to France who is accompanying the BIE delegation, and Yoon Sang-jik, secretary-general of the Busan Expo bidding committee, were present as well.

On Monday morning, Ahn Duk-geun, minister for trade, and Yoon of the bidding committee delivered a presentation on Busan’s bidding proposal.

Korea plans to deliver four presentations on Busan's proposal during the delegation's visit, focusing on political unity, the expo theme, the site, people and money.

Before heading to Busan Tuesday, the delegation’s schedule in Seoul included meetings with Prime Minister Han, National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang and Foreign Minister Park Jin.

The BIE mission is tasked with assessing the feasibility and viability of each expo bid and will look into motivations, the attractiveness of the proposed theme, the proposed site and its reusability after the expo, levels of local and national support, expected participation and the financial feasibility.

The eight-member delegation, led by Patrick Specht, president of the BIE's Administration and Budget Committee, includes Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, secretary general of the BIE, Kevin Isaac, a representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Manuel Salchli, representing Switzerland, Ferdinand Nagy, representing Romania and three BIE staff members.

The final decision will be reached by the BIE during its general assembly in November through a secret ballot.

The delegation visited Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and Ukraine's Odesa in March before arriving in Korea. Rome is the last city the team will visit, 10 days after leaving Busan.

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