BIE delegation visits main proposed Expo site

The delegation dispatched by the Bureau International des Expositions kicked off its second day in Busan by receiving a third presentation about Busan’s Expo bid from the bidding committee for the international exhibition.

The presentation was delivered by professor Jin Yang-kyo of Hongik University’s Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Development about the venue and by Shin Jae-hyun, the new ambassador for international relations for Busan, about the city’s forecast of visitors and plans to accommodate them. Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon also gave a special presentation about how Busan will handle the influx of visitors and potential transportation problems.

The bid committee presented its vision for the Expo through a video interweaving a diorama and 3D graphics, showcasing future technology to match one of the central themes for the World Expo 2030: “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future.” The delegates were also spotted trying out urban air mobility afterward.

After a 90-minute presentation, the delegates visited North Port, the main proposed site for the Busan World Expo. Although rainy, windy weather greeted the team, the BIE mission was "amazed" by the proposed venue during their on-site inspection, according to the city government.

Busan North Port, equivalent to the size of 277 football fields, is the port city’s central commercial hub and is near the train station that would garner foot traffic.

The eight-member team led by Patrick Specht, president of the BIE Administration and Budget Committee, also had a luncheon with representatives of 15 Busan civic groups to hear their desire to host the 2030 Expo.

The delegates also met with Oceans and Fisheries Minister Cho Seung-hwan, whose ministry oversees the Busan port, to be briefed about how the port city differs from the other potential candidates, Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, Italy’s Rome and Ukraine’s Odesa.

In the evening, the delegation was to attend “K-Culture Night” at the Busan Cinema Center.

K-pop bands Oh My Girl and iKON, singer Rain and rapper Wonstein were to showcase live performances during the event. Also, soprano Jo Sumi, honorary ambassador for the 2030 Busan World Expo, was set to serenade the crowd with the Expo bid’s theme song, “We Will Be One,” for the first time.

The following day -- the last of the delegates’ field inspection -- they are set to tour the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, a burial ground for UN Command service members killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. The delegates are expected to be briefed about the significance of promoting world peace through the international exhibition.

The delegation leaves Korea on Friday.