Busan City Opens 'Expo Marine Pavilion for the 2030 Busan World Expo Bid'

Operating at Seoul Lotte World Aquarium from 5.1 to 11.30

Using the aquarium to raise awareness of marine pollution and climate change severity

Busan City will operate the ‘Expo Marine Pavilion’ at Lotte World Aquarium in Seoul from May 1 to November as part of the nationwide campaign to support the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo.

The city is conducting a nationwide campaign under the concept of ‘Stop Climate Change with EXPO’ to help the public easily experience and understand the main theme and sub-themes of the 2030 Busan World Expo and recognize their importance.

◆ 2030 Busan World Expo Theme and Sub-themes

▲ Theme: Transforming our world, Navigating toward a better future

To solve global issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, climate and environmental crises, and social polarization, and to move toward a better future, a fundamental transformation in the relationship between humanity, nature, technology, and society is necessary.

▲ Sub-themes: ① Sustainable living with Nature

Moving away from reckless development-centered approaches, building a sustainable life with nature through natural restoration by realizing a new climate regime and a carbon-neutral society.

② Technology for Humanity

In this era of rapid digital transformation, realizing a society where all humanity benefits from technological advances and technology and humans develop together.

③ Platform for Caring and Sharing

Resolving social polarization between generations, digital and traditional industries, developed and developing countries, and realizing a society of sharing and caring together.

As the first step of this campaign, Busan City conducted the ‘Green Challenge’ in early April at Gwanghwamun and Busan Station, raising public awareness of carbon emission reduction and the importance of green energy. The ‘Expo Marine Pavilion’ has been prepared as part of this campaign.

At the ‘Expo Marine Pavilion,’ visitors can learn about the importance of Blue Carbon?the carbon absorbed by marine ecosystems such as oceans and wetlands?through content and exhibitions utilizing the aquarium tanks, and directly experience the severity of marine pollution and climate change.

Upon entering the ‘Expo Marine Pavilion,’ visitors are first greeted by a diorama showing a future city submerged due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Entrance of the Expo Marine Pavilion event hall.

The dioramas submerged in the water-filled aquarium include 3D representations of South Korea’s landmarks such as Namdaemun and Gwangandaegyo Bridge, as well as the world-famous Eiffel Tower, allowing visitors to directly feel the climate crisis.

On the exterior walls of the aquarium, texts using the Earth Temperature Stripes and a ruler inform visitors about specific disasters that will occur with each 1-degree rise in global temperature.

The Earth Temperature Stripes are colored stripes representing the degree of increase in the Earth's average temperature.

Next, visitors can experience ‘Plasticrium,’ an interactive space that raises awareness of the dangers of marine plastic waste, known as the invisible killer of the ocean.

Seven robotic fish floating inside a large aquarium will have marine debris such as nets, PET bottles, and plastic bags attached to them, simulating the suffering of fish living in polluted seas and encouraging visitors to empathize with the need to prevent marine pollution.

In particular, the ‘Microplastic Augmented Reality (AR) Experience’ and the ‘Marine Plastic Photo Exhibition,’ linked with Plasticrium, will allow visitors to see invisible microplastics underwater through AR and raise awareness of the seriousness of marine pollution.

Microplastic Augmented Reality (AR) Experience.

An unusual photo zone is also operated for visitors. By taking photos at the marine photo zone inspired by underwater pearls and posting them on social media with certification, visitors can receive various gifts.

To commemorate the opening of the Expo Marine Pavilion, an ‘OX Quiz Event’ will be held throughout May using kiosks.

By participating in quizzes about the World Expo and climate change via touchscreen, visitors who answer correctly will receive a ticket to experience the SOS Marine Rescue Team, one of the aquarium’s popular programs.

The city plans to collaborate with the YouTube channel ‘Giant PengTV,’ famous for ‘Pengsoo,’ in May to produce and promote content introducing the Expo Marine Pavilion’s exhibition programs and experiential events.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun stated, “We expect the ‘Expo Marine Pavilion’ to widely raise awareness of the importance of Blue Carbon, which is essential for ‘stopping climate change’ as expressed by the global marine city Busan through the 2030 Busan World Expo, and to form a national consensus on preventing marine pollution.” He added, “We hope for many citizens to visit and participate, and we ask for your strong support and encouragement so that we can successfully host the 2030 World Expo in Busan, Republic of Korea.”

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