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Over 400 guests attend Korea's Expo bid reception dinner

Published: 22 Jun. 2023, 12:35 Updated: 22 Jun. 2023, 17:11

President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, greets Bureau International des Expositions’ Secretary General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes at the reception dinner hosted by the Korean government in Paris on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Around 400 people, including the 179 delegates of the Bureau International des Expositions' member states, attended a reception the Korean government hosted on Wednesday after its presentation in Paris to promote Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030.

More than double the number of guests the Korean government expected attended the event.

Saudi Arabia, one of the three contenders currently believed to have the lead, held its reception on Monday, while Italy had its own on Tuesday.

"Korea will make the Busan expo the most digitally advanced expo," President Yoon Suk Yeol said at the reception. "We will continue the Expo's vision of expanding the global market and [promoting] economic and social values in Busan."

"Busan expo will contribute to the birth of new technologies and ideas and humanity's sustainable development and the prosperity of the international community."

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, right, holds up his crutch with the Busan World Expo printed alongside Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong during the Korean government's expo reception dinner in Paris Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Yoon also lauded Psy, the singer known for "Gangnam Style," for the role the singer played in the presentation, to which the singer replied, "Mr. President, you did a better job."

Psy was the first speaker in the presentation, while Yoon was the last, concluding the presentation by saying, "See you in Busan in 2030."

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong hugs Psy at the Korean expo reception dinner in Paris Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon also praised everyone's effort and said, "We are all one family."

Some 20 Korean business leaders, led by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, also the Busan expo bid committee co-head, greeted guests.

Chey, who is currently injured, had the Busan World Expo logo printed on his crutches.

The business leaders, including Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo ran booths at the venue where they promoted Busan's expo bid.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chairman Euisun Chung makes conversation with guests at the Korean World Expo reception dinner in Paris Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Busan is reportedly closing the gap with Saudi's Riyadh with the latest presentation.

And the favor seems to be tilting toward Korea.

"I believe our presentation was the best among others," Chey said after the presentation.

France, which previously pledged its support for Saudi, said it will vote for the country only in the first round.

According to a Reuters report, France may not vote for Saudi Arabia if the vote goes to a second round.

A candidate city must get more than two-thirds of the BIE member countries' votes to win the bid. If no candidate passes that threshold in the first round, the vote goes to a runoff.

"This decision was made last year. Also, because of a Saudi request. That was the only request we received, to be clear. So, we were able to get commitments from Saudi Arabia towards us on subjects that were important to us," a French official told Reuters.

"Now, the question is how many rounds will be needed. We have announced support that will be valid for the first round, as is usual in international organizations. After that, we'll see."

Korea, currently considered a close runner-up to Saudi, could have a greater chance of winning if the vote goes to a runoff.

LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, center, at the Korean World Expo reception dinner in Paris Wednesday [YONHAP]

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon greets guests at the reception dinner in Paris Wednesday.[YONHAP]

Guests test the urban air mobility module on display at the dinner reception in Paris Wednesday.[SK Teecom]

BY LEE HO-JEONG, SARAH KIM [[email protected]]

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