2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo Postponed Due to COVID-19

Held for 24 days from April 15 to May 8, 2022

Jeollanam-do and Wando-gun have decided to postpone the 2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo, jointly hosted by them, due to the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Jeollanam-do and Wando-gun, co-hosting the ‘2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo,’ had planned to hold the event for 24 days from April 23 to May 16 next year, but decided to postpone it by one year due to the spread of COVID-19.

According to the Wando International Seaweed Expo Organizing Committee, the expo was postponed to protect the safety of the public and ensure the successful hosting of the event in light of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic outlook.

The third Wando International Seaweed Expo will be held from April 15 to May 8, 2022. As the world’s first expo themed on seaweed, the Wando International Seaweed Expo was held in 2014 and 2017, promoting a correct understanding and value of seaweed domestically and internationally.

Furthermore, in July last year, after receiving approval as an international event for the third consecutive time, the 2021 expo was planned to be held as an industrial-type expo presenting the future vision of the seaweed industry.

However, with domestic and international expos and festivals being postponed or canceled due to COVID-19, and even the Tokyo Olympics being postponed, it was judged that hosting an international event attracting foreign visitors and large crowds would be impractical.

Additionally, through gathering opinions from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, central government ministries, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, the Korean Society of Disaster Information, the expo’s executive committee, and advisory committee, public consensus was reached that it would be difficult to hold the expo normally amid the adverse conditions caused by COVID-19.

Accordingly, on the 15th, the 4th board meeting was held, and after deeply discussing the agenda on whether to postpone or cancel, it was decided to postpone the Wando International Seaweed Expo by one year.

Shin Woo-cheol, the chairman of the organizing committee and Wando County Governor, said, “It is regrettable that we cannot hold the expo we have been ambitiously preparing as planned, but what is most important now is protecting the safety of the people from COVID-19,” adding, “We will prepare diligently for another year so that the Wando International Seaweed Expo can lead the development of the seaweed industry and enable Wando to secure a leading position in the global seaweed market.”

The 2022 Wando International Seaweed Expo will be held under the theme ‘Sea of Healing, Seaweed Opening a Future of Hope’ from April 15 to May 8, 2022, at the Wando Port Beach Park area.

Through the expo, the health and healing functions and environmental value of seaweed will be emphasized, and by converging and integrating various industries such as bio, pharmaceuticals, beauty, energy, and the 4th industrial revolution based on seaweed, the expo plans to present the future vision of the seaweed industry.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.