As the opening of the Yeosu Expo 2012 is scheduled for May 12 in 2012, Yeosu in Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province) is busy preparing for the big event. It has been about a year since construction started and the venue of the event has gone through huge changes. Unprecedented in the world, the pavilion was installed upon the sea, and a stage and specially-designed screen have been prepared for the show to be performed with the sea as a backdrop.
The organizing committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea said that 80% of the construction for the exhibition has already been done without much trouble. It plans to finish up the construction by February next year and will test out the operation and facilities for two months before the start of the Exposition so that they can lower the possibility of complications.
The organizing committee also said it is trying to set up not only hardware, but also software including services and the quality of the content.
In light of the announcement, it confirmed the schedule of cruise ships that will stop by the nation for the event period. Cruises are currently registered from four countries: America, Italy, Japan, and China. Korea has never seen this large number of people coming into the country through the ports. The cruises are expected to deliver around 12,000 people through 80,000-ton cruise ships that will berth at the Expo site. During the event, six cruise ships from the four countries will make nine voyages; two times each for both Japan Cruise and MOL from Japan, three times for Costa Crociere from Italy, one for Royal Caribbean Cruise from America, and one for Capital Dragon Global from China.
More cruise operators are expected to join. The organizing committee announced that it is currently in negotiations to invite more cruise ships from several cruise operators including Royal Caribbean Cruise from the U.S. and the first Korean cruise operator, Harmony Cruise. “As the event will last for 93 days, we have enough time to prepare more berths,” said Kim Young-hyun, deputy director general for Transportation and Operation of the Organizing Committee. He added that the committee will continue the publicity to attract more cruise ships.
Meanwhile, a number of people in various backgrounds applied for volunteer work for the international Exhibition including 84-year-old men, high school graduates, a soldier who will be discharged from the service in May, and foreigners from various countries. The committee required 13,000 people but 45,000 applicants including 290 foreigners flocked to the interview, reflecting the social significance of the event.
The interview was carried out nationwide to give the opportunity to more people. Oh Yura, who could not attend the original interview in Yeosu, made her way to Seoul to catch another chance. “Yeosu citizens should have pride of living in the region and participate in the event,” said Oh. “I thought volunteering is the best way to take part in the Expo.” “When the big earthquake hit Japan last March, the support and help that Korean people provided gave us courage,” said Watanabe Siroyuki from Japan, who applied for a volunteer position and also as an examiner for language interviews. “I hope the participation in this event can return a little of that.”
International pavilion (Photo courtesy of the 2012 Yeosu Expo Organizing committee)
The 2012 Yeosu Expo is the second international Expo to take place in Korea, following the Daejeon Expo held in 1993. The event will be carried out for four months from May 12 to August 12 under the theme ”The Living Ocean and Coast.” The site of the event will be filled with various displays and facilities such as a thematic pavilion situated upon the sea, an international pavilion where participating countries will prepare displays, and the nation’s largest aquarium, among others.
With a total of 106 countries and nine international organizations participating, the event will seek to emphasize the shared responsibility of the global community in responding to pressing issues relating to ocean management, including pollution, destruction of the marine ecosystem, and rising sea levels. Part of the vision behind the Expo is to foster a deeper appreciation in the global community for the value of the sea and coasts and highlight the importance of finding collaborative solutions for climate change, the depletion of water resources, and other collective problems.
The value of the ocean and sea will be conveyed in easy and fun ways in order for people to feel a connection with it and to create inspiring memories. The event also aims to emphasize the relationship between the oceans and humans and present new concepts of ‘seatizen’ and ‘seavilization.’
For more information, visit www.expo2012.kr, where 10% discounted entrance tickets are available.
By Lee Seung-ah Korea.net Staff Writer
Quick Info
opening date 12 May 2012 closing date 12 August 2012 theme "The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities" site description urban coastal site size 25 hectares (62 acres) participating countries 106 (as of December 2011) attendance 8 million (prejected) status BIE recognized "International Exposition"
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