Chairman Chey Tae-won, the head of SK Group and also serving as the chair of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), emphasized South Korea's readiness to take on a significant role by bidding to host the world fair in Busan in 2030.
When questioned about the significance of hosting such an event for Korea, Chey stated, "I believe it's important that we act responsibly for the direction of humanity rather than focusing solely on economic effects. Now it's time for us to contribute, and the moment has come for us to take this step."
"The World Expo transcends its role as a mere economic boost for the host country," he continued. "Instead, it serves as a crucial platform to address and explore solutions to the various global challenges that confront humanity today."
The Korean government projects that hosting the expo will yield around 61 trillion won ($48 billion) in economic benefits for Korea, primarily driven by the generation of new employment opportunities and increased tourism.
The competition to host the Expo is fierce, with cities like Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Rome, Italy also vying for the prestigious honor. The Bureau International des Expositions is set to make the final decision on the host in November.
Busan City and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry have taken a significant step towards making collective intelligence a reality with the launch of the online platform called WAVE in March.
WAVE serves as a global platform, inviting people from all corners of the world to propose, develop, and implement ideas on various pressing issues. The platform focuses on topics like food waste, technological innovation, and healthcare, encouraging collaborative efforts to find effective solutions.
The website boasts 61 country pavilions where participants can engage in discussions about the challenges their respective countries face. By exchanging thoughts and ideas, they can work together with other nations and companies to address these issues collectively.
"South Korea's transformation from a war-torn, impoverished nation to a leading global economy gives it a unique advantage to offer expertise and understanding to other countries," Chey said. "There are global problems that cannot be effectively solved solely by gatherings like the G7 or G20. Korea can serve as a catalyst in finding resolutions for urgent global challenges."
Chey, fervently working towards securing China's vote for the 2030 bid, revealed his determined efforts.
In a recent statement, Chey mentioned his productive meetings with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Chinese Prime Minister Li Chang a few months back. During these meetings, he sought their valuable support for Korea's bid to host the Busan Expo.
Evidently, these interactions have strengthened his resolve, and he is now planning another visit to China to engage in more in-depth discussions and garner additional backing.
Meanwhile, in November, representatives from the Member States of the Bureau International des Expositions, an inter-governmental organization responsible for overseeing world fairs, will convene in Paris to conduct the selection process for the host country of the prestigious World Expo 2030.
