Korea Inc. bolster Busan's World Expo 2030 bid in Paris

Heads of Korea’s largest conglomerates, including Hyundai, SK and Samsung, joined Prime Minister Han in Paris to rally support for Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo, as the country ramps up its last-minute efforts to host the mega event.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, right, and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung speak during a symposium held in Paris on Monday. [HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP]

Heads of Korea’s largest conglomerates, including Hyundai, SK and Samsung, joined Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Paris to rally support for Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo, as the country ramps up its last-minute efforts to bring the mega event home.

On Monday, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the 2030 World Expo bidding committee held a symposium at Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, with about 50 days left for the final decision of the host nation to be made by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) member states.

The event was attended by the prime minister, BIE Secretary General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes and representatives from BIE member countries, alongside 25 business executives including KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Doosan Group Chairman Park Jeong-won, Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee, Posco International CEO Jeong Tak, and HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Ga Sam-hyun.

Doosan Group Chairman Park Jeong-won, right, and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon speak during a symposium held in Paris on Monday. [DOOSAN GROUP]

Also featured at the symposium were foreign academics such as economic theorist Jeremy Rifkin and Samuel Richards, a sociology professor at Penn State University, who supported Busan’s bid for the expo.

During his keynote address, Rifkin highlighted Korea's economic capabilities represented by leading companies such as Hyundai, SK and Samsung, stating that the country's success story will inspire the rest of the world.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and presidential envoy Jang Sung-min were present at the event as well.

Under the theme of “Why Korea? Why Busan?”, the latest event was aimed at promoting Busan’s bid to host the World’s fair in Paris, where the BIE member countries will elect the winner through a secret ballot during the 173rd general assembly slated for Nov. 28.

During the bidding race, the candidates can deliver five presentations and host a symposium to promote their cities. Four rounds of presentations have been completed so far, and the fifth and final presentation will take place during the upcoming general assembly.

Jeremy Rifkin, an economic and social theorist, speaks in support of Busan in the city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo during a symposium held in Paris on Monday. [YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivered the fourth presentation in Paris during the 172nd BIE general assembly in June.

Busan is competing with Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Rome in Italy. Rome will hold its symposium on Wednesday in Paris, Riyadh in early November.

During the symposium on Monday, Prime Minister Han said that the 2030 Busan Expo “will be a platform for solidarity to bridge the gap between countries and come together to tackle the issues faced by humanity such as climate change and energy transition” in his opening remarks.

Korea’s government officials and business executives have been pouring lobbying efforts to win the bid, with Han and Chey co-chairing the bidding committee as part of public-private cooperation for the initiative. The government and business representatives, including the president and CEOs of 13 major countries, have flown a combined 16.4 million kilometers (10.2 million miles) to bring out support from BIE member states as of September, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Meanwhile, Han met with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday to discuss measures to further strengthen ties amid North Korea’s continued threats.

Paris was the prime minister’s first destination in his eight-day trip to European countries. Han plans to visit Denmark, Croatia and Greece after France until Oct. 15.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivers a speech during a symposium held in Paris on Monday. [PRIME MINISTER'S SECRETARIAT]

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, right, speaks with a representative from a BIE member state during a symposium held in Paris on Monday. [HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP]

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]