"We are sincerely carrying out our bid for the Busan World Expo 2030"

President Yoon Suk-yeol hosted a dinner with the BIE (International Exhibition Organization) live-action team at Sangchunjae, Blue House, on Monday, April 3. He said, "Our government, together with the private sector, is sincerely carrying out bidding activities for the Busan World Expo 2030 so that future generations of the Republic of Korea can dream of a better world and global citizens can dream of a better future." 

He also emphasized Korea's willingness to actively contribute in conjunction with the role of the World Expo in solving problems facing humanity. "The World Expo is not only a festival venue for showcasing previous advanced materials, but also serves as a solution platform to present solutions to the challenges facing humanity and a vision for the future. Korea is an unprecedented country that overcame independence, war, and poverty in less than a century, and now leads the world with its high-tech industries and is loved by people around the world for its art and culture. Busan World Expo 2030 will be an opportunity to share our diverse experiences and strengths, find solutions to the challenges facing humanity, and create innovation.”

Patrick Specht, head of the BIE live-action team, said: "What the live-action team values most is broad support across multiple areas. I am very impressed that the Korean government has supported us unanimously and the National Assembly also has unanimously supported." 

Choi Tae-won, chairman of the Busan World Expo Private Bid Committee, offered a toast in which everyone shouts "Action" when we sing "Promise," signifying that we will definitely fulfill what we promised to host the Expo.

Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon received loud applause when he emphasized that "The whole Korea is one team" and said, "We, the citizens of Busan, know BIE as an acronym for 'BUSAN IS EXPO.'"

Yoon said, "If the previous expos were like sports competitions competing for industrial power, Busan Expo will be a festival-like expo that pursues common peace, freedom, and prosperity.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Finance Choo Kyung-ho said, "I am the minister in charge of finances," adding, "We will guarantee 100% of the finances for the successful holding of the Expo."

Sumi Cho, an ambassador for the Busan World Expo 2030, also attended the dinner. She said, “I will perfectly show the beauty of Busan, the kindness of Koreans, and the unique artistic sense of Busan Expo.”

First Lady Kim Kun-hee said, "Korea has come this far without any resources in terms of industrial growth, and it has also developed culturally, as can be seen from the example of Sumi Cho, who was here. We hope that this expo will be an opportunity to promote our traditions and culture to all countries around the world."

 

President Yoon attends 8th West Sea Protection Day Ceremony

On the morning of Friday, March 24, President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Kun-hee attended the 8th West Sea Protection Day commemoration ceremony held at the Daejeon National Cemetery, where they paid tribute to the heroes of the West Sea and expressed their strong security commitment to respond to North Korea's provocations. 

He visited the graves of the dead of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island, the graves of the 46 warriors of Cheonan, and the graves of the late Lieutenant General Han Ju-ho. In addition to the veterans, the family members of the heroes of the West Sea Guardian were present, including Park Gong-soon, the mother of the late Sergeant Hwang Do Hyun (Second Battle of Yeonpyeong), Kim O-bok, the mother of the late Staff Sergeant Seo Jung-woo (Bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island), Yoon Cheong-ja, the mother of the late Sergeant Min Pyeong-ki (Cheonan bombardment), and Kim Mal-soon, wife of the late Lieutenant General Han Joo-ho. The president listened to the stories of each of the war dead and comforted the bereaved families.

Yoon said, "I pay tribute to the West Sea Guardian warriors and offer my deepest condolences to the veterans who have lost loved ones and comrades-in-arms. It is because of these people that our people can carry on their daily lives freely in the confrontation between North and South Korea. In the name of the people and the nation, I will remember the great heroes who defended the freedom of the Republic of Korea. We will strengthen the ROK-style three-axis system against North Korea's nuclear and missile advancement and provocations, and consolidate security cooperation between the United States and the ROK, and North Korea's reckless provocations will surely pay the price."

Yoon closed his speech, "The sacrifice and dedication of the Western Sea Guardian warriors will be the cornerstone of freedom, peace and prosperity in the world, and I once again express my deepest condolences and gratitude to the bereaved families and veterans."

백종원 기자  bridgekorea@naver.com