"2030 Busan World Expo Bid: National Capabilities United"…Public and Private Sectors in One Voice

Joint Public-Private Committee for World Expo Bid Holds 1st Meeting
Prime Minister Han: "Busan World Expo, a National Agenda"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] The public-private committee for the bid to host the 2030 Busan World Expo has officially begun its operations.

On the 8th, the government held the first meeting of the '2030 Busan World Expo Bid Committee' at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Seoul, co-chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won. To consolidate nationwide efforts for the Expo bid, the previously separate private and government organizations were integrated and relaunched as an organization under the Prime Minister's office.

The committee includes ministers from 14 government ministries, the Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, and prominent figures from the business sector such as Lee Jae-yong, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company; Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG; Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group; Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of CJ Group; as well as Gu Ja-yeol, Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, and Huh Chang-soo, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries.

Additionally, Yoon Sang-jik, former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, was appointed as the non-standing Secretary-General to assist the co-chairmen and oversee the committee's overall operations.

During the meeting, the committee finalized the operational regulations detailing the committee's management and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the current status and future plans for the bid negotiation activities.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, the private bid support committee (secretariat at KCCI) announced the 'Status and Future Plans of Private Committee's Bid Activities,' which includes the selection of anchor companies responsible for bid negotiations by country and other bid activity updates and plans.

Based on his recent visit to the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) General Assembly and the second presentation (PT) last month, Prime Minister Han emphasized that the Busan World Expo is not merely a regional event but a national agenda, expressing a strong commitment to fully mobilize public and private sector capabilities centered on the bid committee.

Chairman Chey stated, "By leveraging Korea's differentiating points such as the metaverse and consistently building trust through country-specific study groups, we can garner support for the bid," and pledged active support from the private sector, including businesses, for the government.

Meanwhile, the host city for the 2030 World Expo will be decided by the end of 2023 through three rounds of competitive presentations, submission of bid plans, and on-site inspections, followed by a vote among member countries of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE).

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