Inspection Team and Welcome Luncheon
Four-Legged Walking Robot Appearance
Choi Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and co-chairman of the Busan Expo Bid Support Private Committee, welcomed the World Expo Organization (BIE) inspection team visiting Korea, stating, "Korea and Busan are ready."
Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Private Committee for Supporting the 2030 Busan World Expo Bid (Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and the BIE inspection team are high-fiving with the KCCI Global Supporters.
On the 3rd, Chairman Choi held a welcoming luncheon with the BIE inspection team at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. At the event, Chairman Choi said, "Although the inspection team has a busy schedule in Seoul and Busan, I arranged this gathering hoping to provide a short but comfortable time for you."
He continued, "You have visited Korea at its most beautiful time," adding, "The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the spring breeze and warm sunlight shine on Seoul. You will probably encounter even more beautiful scenery when you go to Busan."
Attending the luncheon were Chairman Choi, Park Seung-hee, President of Samsung Electronics; Lee Hyung-hee, Chairman of SK Communications Committee; Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company; Ha Beom-jong, President of LG; Jung Tak, Vice Chairman of POSCO International; Woo Moo-hyun, President of GS Construction; Ga Sam-hyun, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Kang Hee-seok, President of E-Mart; Woo Ki-hong, President of Korean Air; Woo Tae-hee, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; as well as Ambassador Choi Jae-cheol to France, Yoon Sang-jik, Secretary General of the Bid Committee, and about 20 others including the BIE inspection team.
The inspection team consists of eight members, including team leader Patrick Specht, BIE Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes, representatives from member countries (Saint Kitts and Nevis, Switzerland, Romania), and support staff from the secretariat.
During their visit until the 7th, they plan to focus on inspecting 14 key areas including reasons and themes for hosting the Busan World Expo, site and transportation infrastructure, accommodation plans, financial plans, and the number of exhibitors and visitors.
The BIE inspection team will conduct an in-depth evaluation of the candidate country's hosting capabilities, preparation level, and public interest, and prepare a report. The report containing the on-site inspection evaluation will be distributed to 171 member countries at the BIE General Assembly in June.
Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Private Committee for Supporting the 2030 Busan World Expo Bid (Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, sixth from the left in the front row), and the inspection team from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) are taking a commemorative photo with the KCCI Global Supporters.
Before the luncheon, an event by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Global Supporters was held to welcome the inspection team. The supporters, consisting of about 20 people from 10 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, gathered to cheer for the Busan Expo, a global festival.
Also attracting attention was the appearance of 'Spot,' a quadruped robot from Boston Dynamics, which guided the inspection team. Spot, which greeted the team outdoors, led the way to the luncheon venue. Hyundai Motor Company, responsible for operating Spot, is known to have actively responded to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s ideas to ensure a successful visit by the inspection team.
The private bid committee stated, "Busan will be the optimal city to realize the theme as a city representing Korea in various fields such as environment, future technology, development, and welfare," adding, "During the inspection team’s stay in Korea, they will be able to fully confirm the efforts of our government and companies and the passion of all citizens for hosting the Expo."
Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Private Committee Supporting the 2030 Busan World Expo Bid (Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, front row left), and the inspection team from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) are being guided by the quadruped robot 'Spot' as they move to the luncheon venue.
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