Busan Expo's Fateful Day... "Possibility of Absorbing Italian Votes"

Researcher Jo Yonghwan, YTN Radio Interview
"Korea-Saudi Neck and Neck... Japan's Support a Great Boost"

With the decision on the host city for the 2030 World Expo just hours away, it has been confirmed that the Italian Prime Minister will not attend the General Assembly of the Paris-based International Bureau of Expositions (BIE), where the Expo host will be decided. Amid this, there are positive prospects that South Korea could absorb Italy's vote.

Jo Yong-hwan, a research committee member of the Busan Expo Citizens' Committee, said on the 28th on YTN Radio's "News King with Park Ji-hoon" regarding the Expo bidding situation, "Saudi Arabia launched an early, so-called oil money-backed massive offensive," adding, "Since then, under the leadership of our President, the entire nation has been in a chase, and it is now evaluated that the competition has come down to a neck-and-neck race."

The host city for the 2030 Expo will be decided by a secret ballot of up to 182 member countries at the BIE General Assembly held in Paris, France, on the 28th. South Korea (Busan) is competing against Italy (Rome) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jo said, "It has been confirmed that two countries probably did not pay their membership fees, so 180 countries are expected to participate in the vote," and added, "South Korea’s strategy was to absorb valid votes in the second round of voting, so if it goes to the second round, we could be in a very advantageous position."

Regarding the news that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will not attend the BIE General Assembly, he said, "Italy actually hosted the Expo in 2015," and added, "This time, it seems Italy applied with somewhat weak determination, so I think this is a very good sign for us in South Korea."

He continued, "From the perspective of international order, the relationship between South Korea and Europe is quite good," and said, "In that respect, I believe we can absorb a significant number of European votes."

He also predicted that Japan’s support for South Korea would have a positive impact. Jo said, "Although Japan has only one vote, its position in the Expo organization is that of a leading country. Including the 2025 Osaka Expo, Japan has hosted five times," and added, "Japan supporting South Korea is like gaining a thousand troops."

Meanwhile, messages supporting the bid for the 2030 Busan Expo are pouring in from the political sphere. Independent lawmaker Hwang Bo-seung-hee said on the 28th through her Facebook, "Busan Expo, dreams come true," and Jeon Jae-soo of the Democratic Party of Korea said, "I am in Paris, France, for a short 2-night, 4-day schedule. I will do my best to secure the 2030 Busan Expo."

Kim Mi-ae of the People Power Party said, "Led by President Yoon Seok-youl, the government, businesses, and political circles have worked as a 'public-private one team Korea,' circling the Earth 495 times to do their best for Busan’s bid," and added, "I earnestly hope that South Korea becomes the seventh country to host all three of the world’s top events: the Summer Olympics, the World Cup, and a registered Expo."

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