The opening
ceremony was highlighted by gala
performances by soprano Jo Sumi, Pansori diva Ahn Sook-sun, and young
K-pop idols such as IU, Big Bang, and 2NE1. It also featured an ocean fountain event and a hologram show. Throughout the
expo, which will last
93 days until August 12, 104 countries and 10 international
organizations will stage
exhibitions.
“Just as Vancouver grew as a world-class city after the expo it hosted
in 1986, Yeosu and the southern coast will be reborn
as a world-class tourist resort,” President Lee said during a radio broadcast on May 14. “I believe the Yeosu Expo will be
successful amid
keen
interest from the people and with their cooperation. More importantly, this is a golden
chance to publicize the beauty of the southern coast,” he
added.
The ocean-themed Yeosu Expo is being held on a site adjacent to the ocean, overlooking Hallyeosudo Marine National Park and many
islands. It lays focus on finding ways to address dangers threatening seas and coasts and restore sustainable life to marine
environments. In a bid
to promote a new level of international cooperation and peaceful use
of the seas, the Yeosu Declaration, which is expected to be
issued at the end of the expo, will propose a post-Kyoto
vision.
The organizers set strategic goals to make
it “Green Exposition,” “Ubiquitous Exposition,” “Design Exposition,”
and “Cultural Exposition.” Meanwhile, “OCEANS’ 12 MTS/IEEE Yeosu,” a massive
international conference on ocean science and technology, will be held at The
Ocean Resort in the city for four days from May 21 to 24. The conference will be attended by about 500 participants from 35 countries,
including experts from the Marine Technology Society, the IEEE Oceanic
Engineering Society, and the Korean Association of Ocean Science and Technology
Societies.
The expo’s organizers reportedly spent about $1.8 billion constructing a high-tech 250,000-square-meter venue
over the last four and a half years. Yeosu Expo is the second international expo
Korea has ever hosted since 1993, when it hosted the Daejeon Expo at Daedeok
Science Park for 93 days from August 7 to November 7,
1993. | | |