Yoon calls on Koreans in France to support Busan’s World Expo bid

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee, right, receive flowers from children during a dinner meeting with Koreans residing in France at a hotel in Paris Monday evening. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

PARIS – President Yoon Suk Yeol asked Korean residents in France to support Busan's 2030 World Expo bid on Monday evening in Paris, on the eve of his presentation to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).

"I hope that our compatriots in France will join forces so that Busan can be selected as the host of the World Expo in Paris in November," Yoon said, according to the presidential office.

On Tuesday, Yoon is set to attend the general assembly of the BIE, the Paris-based 179-member intergovernmental organization in charge of overseeing the World Expo, and give an English-language speech promoting Korea's bid alongside other speakers such as Korean singer Psy.

Earlier Monday afternoon, Yoon and first lady Kim Keon-hee arrived in Paris as a part of a two-country, six-day trip that will also take them to Vietnam for a state visit later on in the week.

As their first schedule in Paris, Yoon and Kim met with a group of some 160 Koreans living in France, including business executives from global companies such as L'Oréal, musicians, Korean adoptees and former French government officials of Korean heritage such as Fleur Pellerin, a former French culture minister.

Korean officials that attended included Foreign Minister Park Jin, Trade Minister Lee Chang-yang and Lee Key-cheol, head of the new Overseas Koreans Agency.

"Korea and France have grown and developed together based on solidarity and cooperation during our 137-year history of diplomatic relations," Yoon said. "During the Korean War, we shed blood and fought together to defend the freedom of the Republic of Korea. Today, Korea and France are partners who share universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law."

He stressed that the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in high-tech technologies and global agenda through active cultural and human exchanges.

"We, of course, look forward to our compatriots in France joining forces with the central and local governments, the private sector and the Korean people as we aspire to host the Expo," Yoon said.

He added that the final vote to select the World Expo host city by the BIE will be held in November by secret ballot in Paris, a city that boasts a rich exposition heritage through the Eiffel Tower.

Korea is competing for the 2030 World Expo bid against Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, Ukraine's Odesa and Italy's Rome.

While noting that hosting the World Expo poses an even greater challenge than bids for the Olympics or World Cup because of the secret ballot voting method, Yoon said if Korea secures the opportunity, it will "usher in a new era for global diplomacy."

Yoon also said that the Overseas Koreans Agency launched earlier in June in keeping with a campaign pledge will "become a global business hub and a strong fence for overseas Koreans."

He further highlighted France's interest in Korean culture, including K-Pop, food, dance and webtoons, noting that there are more than 200 Korean restaurants in Paris alone.

On Tuesday, Yoon is also set to hold a bilateral summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]