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| Prime Minister, second from right, and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, right, attend a meeting Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, Aug. 26. Yonhap |
PM, Conglomerate CEOs continues all-out promotional efforts worldwide
By Lee Kyung-min
The role of foreign ambassadors to Korea is immense in the country's bid to host the World Expo 2030, as stressed by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo who plans to meet with each and every foreign diplomatic official in Korea, according to market watchers, Sunday.
The collective voices from ambassadors, Han maintains, will mobilize the much-needed momentum for aligning support from around the world, as strengthened by their combined first-hand experience on how Korea can and will competently and successfully organize the high-profile international event.
Further underpinning the view is continued promotional campaigns led by the country's top conglomerates' CEOs. Their individual and group-wide resources through diverse channels of communications are devoted to Korea hosting the global event similar to one held in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, in 2012.
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| Samsung Electronics President Rhee In-yong gives a speech at a business forum in Suva, Fiji, Aug. 24 (local time). Yonhap |
'They know Korean best'
"The positive assessment of Korea has far greater weight when it comes from diplomatic figures who have stayed here," Han said during a recent meeting with reporters, at Seoul Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Aug. 25.
"We have met with ambassadors of European countries. We plan to meet with diplomats from countries in Africa and Asia in the coming weeks."
Behind the emphasis on in-person meetings is the recognition of their influence with policymakers back in their home countries. Han has long stressed the importance of meeting "the right people" when drumming up support from overseas countries. The close ties in his view can be fortified by joint cooperation in cultural exchanges and bilateral investments to the benefit of both countries.
"The diplomats know Korea and Busan best, a reason why the government should and will strengthen communications with them to help the hosting of the 2030 event," he said.
The strong resolve was extended at the meeting the following day held jointly by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Prime Minister's Office.
Friday's meeting was to strengthen Korea's competitive edge over Saudi Arabia, its major competitor.
KCCI Chairman and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Han, the two co-chairman of the Busan Expo reiterated the need to mobilize an all-out effort among the government, business and legislative resources to achieve the goal.
"The government plans to dispatch special envoys to countries in case President Yoon Suk-yeol is unable to attend the summit of Korea's key peers," Han said at the meeting.
Han expects the hosting of the international event will result in 61 trillion won ($45 billion) of economic value creation and create 500,000 jobs.
The Prime Minister's Office says around 65 percent of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) member countries remain undecided over which country to vote for, adding a strategic and tailored approach will be implemented to win their support going forward. .
Top corporate executives of Samsung and LG have rallied support for Korea's bid in their recent overseas trips, a move to be followed by many more in the remainder of this year.
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