▲ Lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party, including leader Kim Gi-hyeon (C), hold posters promoting South Korea's successful bid in hosting the 2030 World Expo in Busan, at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 27, 2023. (Yonhap)

Rival parties-expo bid

Rival parties express hopes for S. Korea's successful bid to host 2030 World Expo

SEOUL, Nov. 27 (Yonhap) -- The ruling and the main opposition parties on Monday expressed their hopes for South Korea's successful bid to host the 2030 World Expo in the southern port city of Busan, a day before the vote takes place in Paris.

The united response comes as 182 member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the body in charge of the event, are set to cast their votes on Tuesday (local time) to choose the venue for the 2030 World Expo. South Korea is currently in a three-way race against Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and Rome of Italy.

"Although South Korea was one year later than Saudi Arabia to start the expo bid, our unique dynamic breakthrough capabilities have narrowed the gap and now we can look forward to a dramatic turnaround," said Rep. Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the ruling People Power Party.

"Like how the government and companies joined forces and succeeded in hosting the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan in the past, we anticipate seeing a miracle, where our united aspiration for the Busan Expo could seize victory against (Saudi's) oil money," he said.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) also vowed to muster party efforts for the expo bid.

"The expo will be a great opportunity for South Korea to share its experience of development and lead globally emerging issues, such as changes in climate and population structure and developments in technology," said the party's floor leader, Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo.

"We anticipate positive results and will muster forces till the very end," he said.

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