LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan, first from right, poses with six African ambassadors to Korea at LG Sciencepark in Magok, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of LG Electronics

By Kim Jae-heun

LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan met with six African ambassadors to Korea ― from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda and Angola ― Monday, to request their support for Busan's World Expo 2030 bid.

Top diplomats from the African nations and executives from the electronics company as well as government officials participated in the event held at LG Sciencepark in Magok, southwestern Seoul.

"Busan is turning into a future-oriented, eco-friendly smart city based on digital technology. We ask ambassadors here for their interest and support for Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, as the city is an optimal place to design mankind's new future to be realized through the event," Cho said.

LG Electronics is carrying out various social contribution activities in a number of African countries, such as operating vocational training schools, aiding in administering vaccinations against cholera and helping rural villages to build self-reliance.

The company is also actively promoting Busan's bid for the World Expo 2030 both domestically and overseas.

In Korea, LG Electronics is screening promotional videos on electronic boards installed at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Gimpo International Airport in Seoul and Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas hotel. Since last month, the company has been playing the same promotional video at its 400 LG Best Shop stores nationwide.

Outside of the country, LG Electronics has been promoting Busan's bid for the Expo on electronic boards in New York's Times Square and London's Piccadilly Circus.

In addition, the company promoted Busan's bid at the Amundi Evian Championship held in France in July and the IFA 2022 held in Berlin earlier this month. The Amundi Evian Championship is one of the LPGA's major golf tournaments and IFA is a worldwide consumer electronics exhibition.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also met with ambassadors from 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region last Friday to ask for their support.