The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on March 10 that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won co-presided the third World Expo 2030 Busan Bid Committee (hereinafter “Committee”) meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.

This meeting was held to gather public-private efforts for bid winning and to discuss upcoming promotion measures in detail, as the final bid winner election is coming up in November this year. Measures and remaining process include external negotiations, the enquiry mission by Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), presentation round and internal and external public relations.

In his opening message, Prime Minister Han noted that “with nine months left before final election, competition among bid rivals will likely intensify,” and emphasized that external negotiations should consider and cater to each country’s differing demands, utilizing all available means including multilateral talks and special envoys.

Committee Co-Chair Chey stated that “the first half of 2023 is the critical time window for clinching the win,” and vowed that the private sector will provide full support, as both public and private parties must join hands to bid for victory.

While presenting the agenda items to the Committee, MOTIE outlined the overall public relations plan for 2023, assuring that it will go full out to thoroughly prepare for every BIE-related schedule, by “booming up” and securing support through external negotiations.

With one month left to go until BIE’s enquiry mission (April 3-7), a wide range of promotion activities to convey Korean people’s aspiration for hosting the Expo will be carried out in major hot spots like Gwanghwamun Plaza, via numerous media outlets as well as transit promotion,. The World Expo 2030 Busan promotion currently ongoing in Paris will be expanded and special envoys will visit target countries for customized public relations.

MOTIE also mentioned that the coming World Climate Industry Expo 2023 to be held at BEXCO (May 24-27) will contribute to fostering a favorable atmosphere for Korea’s hosting the Expo in Busan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reported its promotional communication results for the first half, stating that under the slogan “Korea One Team”, government and private agents will engage in proactive communication by placing the Expo public relations as first priority in all diplomatic endeavors.

Meanwhile, the KCCI-led World Expo 2030 Busan civic committee gave a briefing on the digital platform “WAVE” where global citizens can come together to discuss shared challenges and solution measures.

The Expo host city election is slated for November 2023, which will be determined through a vote by the BIE Member States.