Chairman Chung Eui-sun Meets Ambassadors from 12 Countries in the U.S., Requests Support for Busan Expo

Chairman Jung: "Korea Can Serve as a Bridge Between Advanced and Emerging Countries"
"Busan Expo Hosting Is the Solution to Overcoming Global Crises"

Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, requested interest and support for Busan's bid to host the World Expo at an event attended by ambassadors to the United States from 12 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific regions.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States invited ambassadors from key countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific coastal areas to the Korean Ambassador’s residence in Washington D.C. on the 28th of last month (local time). At this event, Chairman Chung, together with Cho Tae-yong, the Korean Ambassador to the U.S., introduced the vision of Korea and Busan in pursuing the hosting of the 2030 World Expo to the ambassadors from each country.

Ambassadors from 12 countries attended, including Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Togo from Africa; Guyana, Barbados, the Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda from the Caribbean; and the Marshall Islands from the Pacific coastal region.

In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Cho said, "Busan is a well-prepared international city with extensive experience in hosting large-scale international events, and together with the government, businesses, citizens, and various members of the international community, it will present a future vision on oceans and climate change for 2030." He highlighted Busan’s advantages and vision as a venue for the Expo and actively requested support for the World Expo bid.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun and Cho Tae-yong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States, are taking a commemorative photo with ambassadors from various countries. (Front row from left) Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor Global Chief Operating Officer; Shin Jae-won, President of Hyundai Motor Company; Gerald Zakios, Ambassador of the Marshall Islands; Chanel Natasha Simons, Deputy Ambassador of Saint Kitts and Nevis; Esmie Zine Chombo, Ambassador of Malawi; Sekou Berit, Ambassador of Mali; Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Cho Tae-yong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States; Fredrick Edem Gbe, Ambassador of Togo; Wendell Jones, Ambassador of the Bahamas; Samuel Hinds, Ambassador of Guyana; Ronald Sanders, Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda. (Back row from left) Noel Anderson Lynch, Ambassador of Barbados; Martial Endobou, Ambassador of the Central African Republic; Jean de Dieu Ndikumana, Ambassador of Burundi; Pourmanun Jugro, Ambassador of Mauritius; Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

Chairman Chung also focused on building consensus for hosting the Busan World Expo. He introduced Busan’s competitiveness and emphasized that Busan is the optimal city for operating the World Expo. Hyundai Motor President Jang Jae-hoon, Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jose Munoz, and President Shin Jae-won also attended to lend their support.

Chairman Chung emphasized, "Various efforts are needed to overcome complex crises such as global climate change," adding, "The Busan World Expo, being prepared under the theme ‘The Great Transformation of the World, Voyage Toward a Better Future,’ can be a good solution."

In particular, Chairman Chung stated, "Based on Korea’s experience in overcoming crises and achieving rapid economic growth, Korea can serve as a bridge between emerging and developed countries," and added, "I am confident that Korea will play a pivotal role in international cooperation by sharing its experience and technology."

Busan is a key hub for transportation and logistics connecting Eurasia and the Pacific. At the same time, it has strengths in world-class tourism infrastructure and cultural content such as K-Culture. It also has experience hosting numerous large-scale international events, including the 2002 Asian Games, the 2005 APEC Summit, and the Korea-ASEAN Summits in 2014 and 2019.

Chairman Chung exchanged views with the ambassadors on broad cooperation for climate change response and sustainable development, as well as the future automobile industry transitioning to electrification for carbon neutrality. He introduced Hyundai Motor Group’s leadership in expanding the global electric vehicle ecosystem, including the supply of high-quality eco-friendly electric vehicles and the establishment of charging infrastructure. Additionally, they discussed industry-academia cooperation such as educational programs linked with leading local universities for nurturing automotive talent and support for teaching materials, as well as social contribution plans in various fields including health and infrastructure.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun (right) is taking a commemorative photo with Mauritius Ambassador Purmanoon Jugro.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

This is not Chairman Chung’s first effort to promote Busan’s World Expo bid. In October last year, he visited the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where Hyundai Motor and Kia’s European production bases are located, and met with the prime ministers of both countries.

Hyundai Motor Group has contacted over 40 high-level officials from more than 20 countries through overseas visits and meetings with visiting dignitaries to request full support for Busan’s World Expo bid. Hyundai Motor President Jang Jae-hoon visited three countries?Bahamas, Paraguay, and Chile?in October last year. Kia President Song Ho-sung visited six countries?South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Serbia, Albania, and Greece?in September and October last year.

During the on-site inspection by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) scheduled from the 2nd to the 7th of next month, Hyundai Motor Group plans to mobilize its online and offline capabilities. This is to help gather nationwide interest and enthusiasm for Busan’s World Expo bid. The BIE inspection team conducts an in-depth evaluation of the candidate country’s hosting capabilities and preparation level and prepares an inspection report. Among various evaluation criteria, it is known that the national enthusiasm and support of the host country’s citizens carry significant weight.

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