Busan’s expo bid failure: Achievements and challenges

Nov 30, 2023, 09:53 am

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The aerial view of the planned airport on Gadeok Island in the port city of Busan/ Source: Busan City

AsiaToday reporter Cho Young-dol

Despite Busan’s defeat in its bid to host the 2030 World Expo due to the Middle East’s “oil money,” observers viewed South Korea’s efforts as having achieved desired results in its own way.

“The One Team Korea,” consisting of the government officials and large businesses, traveled to 182 countries around the world to support the Busan bid. In particular, the activity served as a catalyst for decentralization efforts, addressing the country’s unbalanced issues.

According to the Busan Government on Wednesday, Busan ranked 19th out of 77 major cities in the Global Smart Center Index (SCI) released in May by global consulting firm Ziyen.

It is the third highest in Asia following Singapore and Hong Kong, and the highest in the Korean history. It is said that the country’s effort for Busan’s expo bid has significantly increased the value of the city brand in a short period of time.

South Korea set up a bidding committee in July 2021 to compete as a latecomer, and since the launch of the new government in May 2022, it has re-established the organization under the name of the Private Committee Supporting Busan’s Expo Bid to promote it in earnest. The government and major companies have united as “One Team Korea.”

President Yoon Suk-yeol, Prime Minister Han Duk-soo, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon, and Korea Chamber of Commer and Industry Chairman Choi Tae-won traveled to 182 countries around the world to preach why the expo should be held in Busan.

They actively promoted Busan’s capabilities, infrastructure, and strength of Korean companies through individual negotiations with BIE member countries as well as official promotional events.

The city gained momentum for balanced national development by winning various construction projects through the promotion. Its project to build a new airport in Gadeok Island, which was scheduled to open early in 2029, will be carried out stably and the construction of the Busan Express Railway (BuTX) will be carried out.

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