Korean Ambassador to Uzbekistan Kim Hee-sang, third from left, and POSCO International Textile's President of Corporation of the Central Asia Region Cho Seung-hyun, fourth from left, pose for a photo prior to the performance of "Chunhyangjeon" at the State Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Aug. 21. Courtesy of POSCO International

By Kim Jae-heun

POSCO International, the trading arm of POSCO Group, has promoted Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 to Uzbekistan, sponsoring an operatic performance of the classic Korean romance tale "Chunhyangjeon" in Tashkent on Aug. 21, the company said, Monday.

The event was planned to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Uzbekistan the day before. It was sponsored by POSCO International, Busan Metropolitan City and Busan Cultural Foundation. Korea's Sol'opera troupe performed the show.

About 1,200 people came to watch the performance at the State Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tashkent on the day, along with government officials from Uzbek's Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, Korean Ambassador to Uzbekistan Kim Hee-sang and POSCO International Textile's President of Corporation of the Central Asia Region Cho Seung-hyun.

Prior to the show, POSCO International screened a video promoting Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, while introducing the company's global business operations and cotton business in Uzbekistan.

"I would like to express my gratitude for the Uzbekistan government's cooperation with Korean firms operating business in the country. We hope ties between Korea and Uzbekistan will get stronger upon the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year," Kim said.

POSCO International also requested the Uzbekistan government's support for Busan's bid to host the Expo.

"We have been operating our business in Uzbekistan for the past 30 years since the establishment of our overseas corporation in Tashkent in 1992. We ask for continuous support from the Uzbekistan government for Korea's successful bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan, a beautiful port city in Korea," a POSCO International official said.