S. Korean PM leaves for Paris to attend voting for 2030 World Expo host

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo departed for France on Sunday to participate in this week's voting for the 2030 World Expo, as South Korea competes to host the mega event in its southeastern city of Busan, Yonhap repots. 

The host country will be elected by the 182 member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the body responsible for overseeing the quadrennial event. The decision will take place during its general assembly in Paris on Tuesday (local time), where Busan is contending against Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Rome, Italy.

During his five-day stay in Paris, Han is scheduled to meet with delegates from BIE member states, making a last-minute pitch before the voting, according to his office.

In these final meetings, Han will articulate South Korea's vision to transform the World Expo into a platform addressing humanity's challenges, including war and conflict, the digital divide and climate change, as stated by his office.

"Until the last moment, with an unyielding spirit, I will do my best to deliver joyful news to the grateful people," Han said in a Facebook post before his departure.

South Korea's candidacy proposes hosting the event between May 1 and Oct. 31, 2030, under the theme "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future," according to the BIE.

During the general assembly, each of the three candidates will present their World Expo projects, followed by a secret ballot vote by government-appointed delegates representing member states. The voting result is expected early Thursday.