Subscribe
E-Paper
 |
| Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht, fifth from right, BIE enquiry mission members and Korean government officials take a guided tour of Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX) in Busan, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
By Lee Kyung-min
The eight-member delegation from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) took a guided tour around the North Port in Busan, the proposed venue for World Expo 2030, acquainting themselves with virtual reality (VR) and urban air mobility (UAM), according to sources, Wednesday.
The BIE is an intergovernmental organization that is in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos. The Enquiry Mission led by BIE Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht is visiting this week to assess the viability and feasibility of Korea as a host for the high-profile and much coveted international event.
 |
| Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht, second from right, converses with Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, right, during a tour of Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX), Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
The eight members were given two presentations by Korea's committee promoting the Expo bid at Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX), in addition to a tour of the port. Among the delivery objectives were specifics about the plan, including the design plans of the exhibition halls, details on the number of visitors expected as well as tourist accommodation preparations and access to transportation crucial for reaching the venue.
Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, accompanied by the city's external affairs officials and architects gave the tour and helped the eight members understand why Busan would be perfectly suited to hosting the global event.
 |
| Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht, front, BIE Enquiry Mission members and Korean government officials give a thumbs up at Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX) in Busan, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
The bid committee took the mission for a tour of BPEX and the international terminal of the North Port, where they were introduced to dioramas, VR and UAM experiences.
The mission also watched a video about UAM before boarding a drone-type aircraft while wearing VR headsets to experience a simulation of the flight.
The eight members flew virtually around and over the North Port via simulation in what the event organizer SKT, the high-tech and telecommunications affiliate of SK Group, described as a mixed reality. The term refers to an experience, facilitated by combined images of the current North Port and illustrations of what the areas would look like if it hosts the 2030 event.
 |
| Members of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) experience an urban air mobility high-tech augmented reality simulation at Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX) in Busan, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
The members had questions about the charging time of the aircraft as part of how the high-tech vehicle works in general.
The UAM's role in easing traffic congestion and increasing overall transport efficiency was among the queries, according to the SK affiliate.
Wednesday's tour is aimed at helping cement the city's role in hosting the international event, as underpinned by the port's rich history where the past meets the present and future, according to a Busan Metropolitan Government official.
 |
| Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht, front right, converses with Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, second from left, during a tour of Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX), Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
"The North Port functioned as the key transport hub, the symbol of Korea's rapid, robust and stable economic development over the past few decades," a Busan official said. "The hosting of the 2030 event at the historically significant venue will elevate the meaning of how a once-impoverished war-torn economy can thrive despite challenges, subsequently fortifying Korea's leadership with its developing peers seeking smooth transition to green, sustainable economies."
The eight members had a luncheon with civic group members, before meeting with Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan for 30 minutes. The delegation attended a K-Culture Night event at Busan Cinema Center in the evening as well.
