SK Innovation makes last-minute push for Busan's World Expo bid

Employees of SK Earthon's Kuala Lumpur branch in Malaysia pose for a photo while holding up a slogan to support Busan's bid to host World Expo 2030. [SK INNOVATION]

As the bidding race for the 2030 World Expo nears its finishing line, Korea’s biggest companies are doubling down on their efforts to bring the mega-event home.

SK Innovation, for one, is tapping into its global network of overseas subsidiaries and operations to further ramp up the hype for Busan worldwide.

SK Innovation employees from nine countries showed their support for Busan's bid by participating in a promotional video that was posted to YouTube on Friday. In the video, the employees hold up a poster that reads “SK proudly supports Busan’s bid to host the World Expo 2030” in their various native languages.

Participating branches include: SK Battery America, SK Earthon's Ho Chi Minh branch, SK Earthon's Kuala Lumpur branch, SK Energy Europe, SK Trading International, SK geo centric's Singapore branch, SK Functional Polymer, SK high-tech Battery Materials Poland, SK Innovation's Lima branch and SK Primacor Europe.

“Busan has exhibited readiness for hosting World Expo 2030 with its well-developed, top-notch technologies and infrastructure, captivating natural environment and enriching cultural hubs,” said Jane Goh, a senior officer at SK Trading International’s Singaporean arm.

Goh, who previously visited Busan for a workshop, continued, “This megacity is undoubtedly a strong candidate to host this meaningful global festival.”

SK companies have been actively promoting Busan's World Expo bid, with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won spearheading the World Expo 2030 Busan Bid Committee as a co-chair.

Chey, who also serves as the chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been ramping up last-minute lobbying efforts in Europe and Latin America.

SK Innovation's CEO and Vice Chairman, Kim Jun, also kick-started the campaign activities last year.

The company put up promotional banners and outdoor signage supporting Busan at its headquarters building in central Seoul, as well as its other operations and gas stations across the country. It also ran an advertisement campaign that included a wrap for KTX bullet trains.

“SK Innovation and its subsidiaries’ efforts to rally support for the 2030 World Expo will continue until the very end,” said the company’s spokesperson.

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