Decision to Cancel the 2022 Wando International Seaweed Expo... Prioritizing Public Health and Regional Stability

Published 29 Sep.2021 15:52(KST)

At the 8th board meeting held on the 15th, it was decided to cancel the 2022 Wando International Seaweed Expo to ensure public safety and community stability. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyungpil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 29th that the 2022 Wando International Seaweed Expo, jointly hosted by the county and Jeollanam-do, has been inevitably canceled due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The Wando International Seaweed Expo, which received international event approval for the third consecutive time following 2014 and 2017, was scheduled to be held last April under the theme "Healing Sea, Seaweed Opening a Future of Hope," but was postponed for one year due to the COVID-19 situation and planned to be held from April 15 to May 8 next year.

However, as the global spread of COVID-19 has not subsided and confirmed cases surged rapidly after the Tokyo Olympics, many domestic and international events have been canceled one after another, raising significant concerns about holding an expo where an unspecified large number of people gather.

Accordingly, the Wando Seaweed Expo Organizing Committee (Foundation) gathered expert advice on infectious diseases and quarantine, as well as broad opinions from residents and compatriots, and decided at the 8th board meeting held on the 15th to cancel the 2022 Wando International Seaweed Expo for the safety of the public and stability of the local community.

Shin Woo-cheol, Chairman of the Wando Seaweed Expo Organizing Committee (Foundation), stated, "Although we deeply regret having to cancel the expo we have prepared so far, the most important thing now is the safety of the people, and this decision was made after careful consideration," adding, "Although the expo is canceled, we plan to prepare alternative events such as hybrid online-offline export consultation meetings and live commerce to promote the development of the seaweed industry and stimulate consumption to revitalize the local economy."