The Republic of Korea submitted today a letter of candidature to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to organise World Expo 2030 in Busan.

　　The letter, from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Kim Boo-kyum, was handed to the Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes by Yoo Myung-hee, Minister for Trade and Head of Bid Planning Office for World Expo 2030 Busan, and Park Heong-joon, Mayor of Busan. Yoo Dae-jong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in France, and Lee Jung-woo, Director of the Bid Planning Office for World Expo 2030 Busan, were also present.

　　The Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Dimitri S. Kerkentzes (second from the left), with the Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea Yoo Myung-hee (second from right), the Mayor of Busan, Park Heong-joon (left) and the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in France, Yoo Dae-jong (right)

　　The Republic of Korea’s candidature is based on the theme “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future”, and if successful, the Expo would take place in the city of Busan between 1 May and 31 October 2030.

　　The Republic of Korea’s candidature follows Russia’s candidature, submitted on 29 April, which opened the six-month window during which any other countries wishing to organise World Expo 2030 may notify the BIE of their candidature. At the end of this candidature phase – on 29 October 2021 at 5pm CET – the BIE will close the candidate list.

　　Once the list is closed, the project examination phase of the candidature process will be launched, during which each candidate will submit a detailed candidature dossier. The BIE will then organise Enquiry Missions and assess the feasibility and viability of each candidature project. The host country of World Expo 2030 will then be elected by BIE Member States gathered in a General Assembly, on the principle of one country, one vote.

　　The delegation from the Republic of Korea in the BIE headquarters to submit the letter of candidature to host World Expo 2030 in Busan

　　The Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes stated:“The BIE is pleased to receive the Republic of Korea’s letter of candidature, which constitutes the formalisation of a project that has long been in preparation. The marked interest in hosting World Expo 2030 demonstrates the fundamental role that World Expos play as forward-looking motors for positive change and urban transformation.”

　　The Republic of Korea has previously organised two Specialised Expos – the first in Daejeon in 1993 and the second in Yeosu in 2012. As a regular and active participant in World and Specialised Expos, the country has been rewarded on several occasions for its participation.

　　World Expos, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, are global gatherings of nations addressing universal challenges of our time. These unparalleled global events offer a journey inside a chosen theme through engaging and immersive activities. Taking place every five years and lasting up to six months, World Expos welcome tens of millions of visitors, allow countries to build extraordinary pavilions, and transform the host city for years to come.

　　The next World Expo will take place in Dubai (UAE) under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022, and the following one will take place in Osaka, Kansai (Japan) under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” between 13 April and 13 October 2025.