The Republic of South Korea, on Friday, sought Nigeria’s support for its bid to host the Expo 2030 in its second-largest city, Busan.
Revealing the contents of a letter from President Yoon Suk Yeol to President Bola Tinubu, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said, “He (Yoon) also conveyed an invitation to President Tinubu to attend the Africa-Korea Summit scheduled for June 4–5, 2024, in Seoul, while seeking Nigeria’s support for South Korea’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Busan, South Korea.”
Tinubu received the letter on Friday at the State House when he received the South Korean delegation led by the Special Envoy of the President of South Korea, Mr. Won Hee-Ryong, to discuss areas of further expansion of investment and trade ties between the two countries.
Expo 2030 is a proposed world’s fair to be held in 2030. The event showcases the host nation’s technological, cultural, and commercial accomplishments.
With over 190 countries participating, hosting such a significant global event is perceived to attract substantial economic and political advantages.
The candidate cities are Busan, Rome and Riyadh.
Having held bilateral meetings with over 30 world leaders on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly last September, the South Korean leader is revving up efforts through follow-up meetings such as Friday’s.
Ngelale captured the high points of the meeting in a statement he titled ‘Trade and Investment: President Tinubu confers with South Korean envoy.’
It comes five weeks after Tinubu held a bilateral meeting with the country’s President, Yoon Suk Yeol, on the sidelines of the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
The Nigerian leader commended the efforts that have been made in implementing the commitments made during his discussions with President Yoon in India, noting that these commitments are aimed at strengthening the economic and technological partnership frameworks between the two nations.
“I am encouraged that your President acknowledged these requests and emphasised the importance of Nigeria in the African context by sending you as a Special Envoy.
“Rest assured, we are committed to providing the necessary support to bolster the bilateral relationship that has flourished over the years,” Tinubu told Mr. Won and his team.
With an eye on an increased South Korean presence in the transformation of Nigeria’s national, multi-modal transportation system, the President also emphasised the need for greater South Korean investment in the establishment of local industries for youth employment and technology transfer as Nigeria seeks to understudy and replicate South Korea’s national transportation system.
Tinubu also described the project as an essential opportunity for fruitful collaboration and the evolution of a pragmatic and dynamic business partnership.