South Korea’s overconfidence adds salt to the wound of failed World Expo bid



Analysis South Korea’s overconfidence adds salt to the wound of failed World Expo bid Busan suffered landslide defeat for 2030 expo, raising questions about ROK’s diplomatic prowess and strategic planning John LeeNovember 29, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol with first lady Kim Keon-hee at the 2030 World Expo Korea reception on Jun. 21, 2023 \| Image: ROK Presidential Office South Korea’s grand bid to play host to the 2030 World Expo ended in surprise fashion — and great disappointment — on Tuesday, as the country’s southern port city of Busan failed to secure the hosting rights. The landslide defeat to Riyadh is a significant diplomatic setback for South Korea, given the country’s substantial investment in the bid and confident predictions of a close contest by ROK officials. South Korea’s grand bid to play host to the 2030 World Expo ended in surprise fashion — and great disappointment — on Tuesday, as the country’s southern port city of Busan failed to secure the hosting rights. The landslide defeat to Riyadh is a significant diplomatic setback for South Korea, given the country’s substantial investment in the bid and confident predictions of a close contest by ROK officials. Get 30 days of free access to KoreaPro Full access to all analysis The KOREA PRO newsletter, every business day Daily analysis on the top story of the day The ability to suggest topics for coverage by our specialist team Be smart about South Korea Get full access to expert analysis and opinion. Start now No charges during your trial. Cancel anytime. A paid subscription will start after 30 days. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Briefing Start your day with the South Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily Briefing. LATEST ANALYSIS 01How a Democratic Party presidency could reshape South Korea’s foreign policies 02Misinformation in South Korea soars during and after martial law declaration 03Turf war between rival agencies threatens Yoon impeachment investigation 04What’s at stake in South Korea’s impeachment trial of Yoon Suk-yeol 05How South Korea’s political crisis could reshape alliances and global standing 06Yoon fights for political survival with speech targeting legal and voter battles 07South Korea’s political crisis: Who’s who in martial law declaration fallout 08South Korea faces political crisis as ruling party blocks impeachment vote 09Yoon’s martial law echoes authoritarian playbook but fails in modern Korea 10Martial law erodes trust in South Korea’s president and democratic institutions

Analysis

South Korea’s overconfidence adds salt to the wound of failed World Expo bid

Busan suffered landslide defeat for 2030 expo, raising questions about ROK’s diplomatic prowess and strategic planning

John LeeNovember 29, 2023

South Korea’s overconfidence adds salt to the wound of failed World Expo bid

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol with first lady Kim Keon-hee at the 2030 World Expo Korea reception on Jun. 21, 2023 | Image: ROK Presidential Office

South Korea’s grand bid to play host to the 2030 World Expo ended in surprise fashion — and great disappointment — on Tuesday, as the country’s southern port city of Busan failed to secure the hosting rights.

The landslide defeat to Riyadh is a significant diplomatic setback for South Korea, given the country’s substantial investment in the bid and confident predictions of a close contest by ROK officials.

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South Korea’s overconfidence adds salt to the wound of failed World Expo bid

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John Lee

South Korea’s overconfidence adds salt to the wound of failed World Expo bid

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