Yoon: "Korea Leads in Solving Humanity's Challenges"... Requests Support for Busan Expo in Paris

Final Vote for 2030 Expo Host D-3
President Yoon Attends Luncheon with BIE Delegation

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is visiting France to compete for hosting the 2030 World Expo, stated on the 24th (local time), "Korea will now take the lead in solving the problems facing humanity as a responsible member of the international community."

Korea, the only country that has transitioned from being an aid recipient to an aid donor, intends to help the development and harmony of the world starting from Busan.

On the same day, President Yoon attended the "International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) Representatives Invitation Luncheon" held at the InterContinental Le Grand Hotel in Paris and said in his luncheon speech, "Our Republic of Korea, which has achieved miraculous growth and development from the ruins of war, knows better than anyone else that adversity can be turned into a great opportunity."

Regarding strengthening development cooperation partnerships, President Yoon emphasized, "We will significantly expand Korea's Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds to help recipient countries overcome crises and build the capacity to leap forward through tailored development cooperation."

Earlier, at the BIE representatives' invitation dinner held the previous day, President Yoon expressed, "I look forward to seeing you again at the 2030 Busan Expo, which will offer the largest support package in history."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also mentioned specific support plans for Korea. He promised, "Korea will actively support the international community's low-carbon energy transition. We will provide an additional $300 million to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support climate-vulnerable countries, expand green ODA, and lead the Carbon Free Alliance," adding, "We will strive to close the climate gap between countries."

Regarding support for digital transformation in various countries, he said, "We will greatly expand digital ODA to support digital transformation in education, healthcare, and financial services in countries vulnerable in the digital sector," emphasizing, "Korea will play a responsible role to ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are evenly distributed across human society."

President Yoon highlighted Busan as the optimal Expo host city symbolizing Korea's modern history and dynamism. He explained, "Busan is a symbolic city that embodies the modern history of Korea's development and growth. Once a city where aid supplies arrived from around the world, Busan now serves as an international port city connecting the Eurasian continent and the Pacific Ocean, acting as a platform linking logistics, industry, advanced technology, culture, and arts worldwide."

He particularly stated, "The Busan Expo will be a place of harmony and solidarity where people from all over the world can participate, introduce their unique cultures and technologies, and discuss a better future," and requested, "I ask for your warm interest and support so that Busan, Korea, can surely present such a festival stage in 2030."

Later, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, in a toast speech, shared his family's connection to Busan, mentioning that his grandfather, Chairman Lee Byung-chul, established a factory in Busan in 1953, and requested support for the Expo, saying, "I hope that Busan, the city of the future, will spread freedom and solidarity to the international community through the Expo."

Lee Do-woon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, stated, "Following yesterday's dinner, this event was held successfully with the attendance of many diplomats stationed in Paris, including representatives of BIE member countries, confirming the enthusiastic interest of the BIE delegation in the Republic of Korea and Busan."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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