The international economic event, held every five years for six months, serves as a crucial platform to spotlight South Korea's advancements in artificial intelligence, big data, and information communication technologies on the global stage. The South Korean leader visited Paris in June 2023 and stressed that his nation would showcase the greatest expo during the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) general assembly. Rapper Psy, who received immense attention with his hit song "Gangnam Style," also delivered a speech along with Yoon to endorse Busan's bid.
An aircraft carrying Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee arrived in Paris on November 23. Along with South Korean entrepreneurs, the president met with representatives of the BIE during a welcome dinner on the first day of his visit. "We will turn the Busan Expo into a hub for the global exchange of culture, technology, and ideas, leveraging the cultural charm of South Korea and the southern port city," Yoon said in his welcome speech. He added: "I look forward to welcoming you to the expo in Busan, where we are committed to offering unprecedented support."
"Yoon will personally engage with representatives of BIE member countries, directly connecting with those who have the voting authority during his visit to France," said Kim Tae-hyo, South Korea's first deputy director of the National Security Office. The host city for the World Expo will be selected through an anonymous voting process by the BIE's 182 member countries on November 28. During his stay in France, Yoon will also take part in a summit meeting with President Emmanuel Macron.
