Each Event's Delegation Tailors Yoon's Speech Themes
Business Leaders Mobilize to Paris for Hosting Negotiations
When President Yoon Returns, Korean Prime Minister Heads to Paris
President Yoon Suk-yeol engaged in an all-out effort over two days during his visit to France to secure the 2030 Busan World Expo by meeting with representatives of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE). Since the BIE delegation consists of ambassadors to France, representatives to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and UNESCO ambassadors from various countries, the related schedules and remarks were tailored accordingly. This approach is interpreted as aiming to reinforce confidence among countries that have already supported Busan’s bid, while efficiently persuading countries that have yet to decide or are weighing withdrawing support for other candidate cities to switch their support to Busan.
According to the Presidential Office on the 25th (local time), President Yoon attended a National Day reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in France on the evening of the 24th at the Brongniart Palace in Paris, where he met with ambassadors from various countries and representatives of BIE member states. It is generally customary for overseas Korean embassies to hold National Day receptions in October, coinciding with Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day). However, to conduct a vigorous campaign for the Expo bid, the reception was held on this day, four days before the BIE vote to select the 2030 Expo host city. A Presidential Office official explained, “The principle is to hold only one ‘Expo bid negotiation reception’ per candidate country, and we already held such a reception in June,” adding, “Therefore, we utilized the National Day reception as an opportunity to present the 2030 Busan World Expo.”
Since the reception was officially a Gaecheonjeol event rather than an Expo bid reception, it likely imposed less attendance pressure on countries that have not yet decided between competing candidates Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Rome, Italy, or those that have decided but might reconsider at the last minute. When a reporter at the local press room asked how many BIE representatives President Yoon met during the previous day’s dinner, that day’s luncheon, and the reception, a Presidential Office official responded, “I believe representatives who strongly support competing countries would feel awkward or guilty attending our event, so they probably did not come, but most of those invited have appeared at the event so far.”
The first day’s dinner focused on “cultural diversity,” the luncheon on “development cooperation,” and the reception on “the capabilities of South Korea as a global pivotal country.” These themes were designed to raise interest tailored to the invitees, including UNESCO ambassadors, OECD ambassadors, and the ambassador to France. Earlier, at the dinner held at UNESCO the previous day, President Yoon promised, “The Busan Expo will be a place of harmony and solidarity where people worldwide can participate, showcase their unique cultures and technologies, and discuss a better future.” At the luncheon co-hosted by the Korean delegation to the OECD and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), he stated, “We will significantly expand Korea’s official development assistance (ODA) funds to help recipient countries overcome crises and build tailored development cooperation that empowers them to leap forward.” This message underscores Korea’s transition from an ODA recipient to a donor country?the first in the world?and its intention to create an Expo of harmony and solidarity by sharing its successful experiences in economic growth and democratization.
In his congratulatory speech at the reception, President Yoon explained the significance of Gaecheonjeol, the occasion for the event, saying, “Since its founding, the Republic of Korea has wisely overcome many difficulties through the sweat and dedication of its people and the support of the international community.” He emphasized, “Having blossomed as a free democracy and market economy, Korea now seeks to contribute responsibly to the international community under the principles of freedom and solidarity.” Regarding the candidate city Busan, he introduced it as “the very port where French troops landed in November 1950 to defend Korea’s freedom,” and added, “Rising from the ruins of war, it served as a forward base for importing raw materials and exporting goods, playing a role akin to the umbilical cord that led Korea’s new growth and prosperity.”
He also stressed his determination to make the Busan Expo the most innovative and inclusive Expo ever. This expresses the intention to create a harmonious stage where not only companies or organizations from advanced countries but all participants can come together. President Yoon requested the attendees’ interest and support, saying, “Please help ensure that the Busan Expo becomes a platform of harmony and solidarity for future generations.” Finally, he declared in English, “Busan is ready,” and proposed a toast with the phrase, “Our dreams come true.”
Business leaders who have been actively campaigning overseas for the bid joined President Yoon at the dinners and reception in Paris to appeal for support. The reception was attended by about 600 people, including the heads of the five largest conglomerates: Chairman Chey Tae-won of SK Group, Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics, Chairman Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group, Chairman Koo Kwang-mo of LG Group, and Chairman Shin Dong-bin of Lotte Group. These chairmen, who accompanied President Yoon as part of the economic delegation, also attended the BIE invitation dinner the previous day. It was reported that Chairman Chey Tae-won joined the event late due to his ongoing bid campaign in other countries.
The host city for the 2030 Expo will be decided by a secret ballot of 182 member countries at the BIE General Assembly on the 28th. After completing the Expo bid schedule on the 25th, President Yoon will return to Seoul, but Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will visit Paris to continue efforts to secure support until the day of the vote. Influential global figures are scheduled to speak at the final competitive presentation held on the voting day. However, the Presidential Office explained that the identities of the speakers will not be disclosed to maximize dramatic effect.
At the fourth presentation held in June, President Yoon, singer Psy, Lee Soo-in, CEO of a world-renowned educational application, and Professor Jin Yang-kyo of Hongik University’s Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning took the stage. Girl group aespa member Karina, soprano Jo Sumi, and French architect Dominique Perrault appeared via video. This time, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Na Seung-yeon, former spokesperson for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Bid Committee who presented at the 2011 International Olympic Committee (IOC) General Assembly when PyeongChang was selected as the host city, are expected to appear. Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, stated at the local press room briefing, “The ‘One Team Korea’ will continue to give its all with the spirit of ‘doing one’s best and leaving the rest to heaven’ during the remaining period.”
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