Choi Tae-won: "Achieving 'Net Zero' by 2030 Expo... Busan Focuses on Marine Ecosystem"

"Private Support Committee Assigns Dedicated Countries by Company... SK Assigned to Over 20 Countries"
"Business Trip to Paris on the 20th of Next Month... Meeting Representatives to Start the Hosting Competition"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is seen inspecting the site for the 2030 Busan Expo at the Busan International Passenger Terminal Sky Park on the 31st, engaging in conversation with Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairperson of the Private Committee Supporting the Bid for the Busan Expo. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated on the 31st that by the time of the 2030 World Expo, 'net zero (carbon neutrality)' is expected to be realized, and Busan, one of the candidate cities, should focus its bid on the 'marine ecosystem.' Busan is set to compete in a three-way race with Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and Rome, the capital of Italy, for hosting the 2030 Expo.

After attending the '2030 Busan Expo Bid Support Private Committee Launch Ceremony' held at the Busan International Exhibition & Convention Center that afternoon, Chairman Chey told reporters, "Although Busan's bidding activities started a bit late, there are still 500 days left until the host city announcement, so if we work hard, we can catch up." He assessed, "Compared to Riyadh or Rome, Busan is adjacent to the sea and has the advantage of incorporating the 'marine ecosystem' as the theme of the bid." He added, "By 2030, when the Expo is held, net zero programs will be just getting underway, and since the topic of how to preserve the 'marine ecosystem' is expected to emerge, I think it will become a practical theme of the Expo."

He also predicted that companies, the main players in the private committee, will actively promote themselves at the Expo corporate pavilion. As of that day, the private committee included 11 companies such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company, SK, LG, Lotte (Lotte Holdings), POSCO, Hanwha, GS, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, Shinsegae, and CJ, as well as 72 chambers of commerce nationwide and overseas Korean business associations. Chairman Chey said, "Companies can effectively embrace environmental themes and perform well in the bidding," and added, "I believe these activities will play an important role not only in winning the bid but also in the actual exhibition after the bid."

Chairman Chey announced that the private committee would assign 'dedicated countries' based on the capabilities of participating companies. He anticipated that SK Group would be responsible for about 20 countries. Furthermore, since President Yoon Suk-yeol stated, "If necessary, we will consider dispatching a presidential special envoy," they plan to fly to Paris, France, and put full effort into the bid. Chairman Chey said, "I will immediately go to Paris to attend the 170th General Assembly of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) held in Paris and meet with representatives from various countries," adding, "The General Assembly will be held on the 20th and 21st of next month (local time)."