(Unofficial Translation)

Honorable people of the United Arab Emirates, Minister of Tolerance Al Nahayan, distinguished guests,

I extend my heartfelt congratulations on the successful opening of the Expo 2020 Dubai and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates. I am grateful to Prime Minister Mohammed for inviting me in time for the Expo’s Korea National Day. I would like to give welcome greetings to everyone joining us at this Korea National Day event. It is very meaningful for me to deliver a speech here on this day at Al Wasl Plaza, the heart of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Over the past 170 years, Expo has led the world with its prescient themes. The Crystal Palace of the Great Exhibition in 1851 in London was completed with the extensive use of iron and glass. Today, Al Wasl Plaza has incorporated the human mind through 21st century technology. 

Expo 2020 Dubai is turning the hope for a sustainable future into reality. The Expo pavilions have been built with eco-friendly technologies. Moreover, a plan has been formulated to create a smart city that utilizes 80 percent of these facilities after this Expo. The UAE’s efforts to put the protection of the environment and sustainability into action greatly inspire people worldwide who will usher in the post-COVID-19 era. I express my respect to the leaders and people of the UAE for making the Middle East’s first Expo a forward-looking festival that embraces everyone around the world.

Distinguished guests,

The first Expo that Korea participated in after rising up from the ruins of colonization and war was the 1962 Century 21 Exposition in Seattle. Korea, which took its first step in the international fair as a developing and emerging industrial country, was able to achieve the Miracle on the Han River by diligently pursuing world-leading science and technology. Today, 60 years later, Korea has emerged as an advanced country and is jointly ushering in a future of prosperity with the UAE, which achieved the Miracle in the Desert.

Various cultural events using cutting-edge information and communication technologies are being held in the Dubai Expo Korea Pavilion. ICT is a growth engine that helped Korea join the ranks of the world’s 10 largest economic powerhouses. You will be able to meet the open and dynamic future that smart Korea presents.

Even while striving for economic growth, the Korean people have always kept inclusion and mutual benefit in their hearts. The desire to lead happy lives together with neighbors has fostered a soft power that matches our economic development. Today’s Korea National Day events will also embody the theme of Dubai Expo “Connecting Minds and Creating the Future” through our traditional dances, taekwondo and K-pop. In the evening when the stars shine above the desert, there will be a concert featuring globally loved K-pop.

I hope that you look forward to the Korea Innovative Tech Fair 2022, which will be held for three days from today. You will be able to experience what Korea has achieved in order to bring humanity sustainable lives. I’d like to see Korea’s innovative technology and culture serve as a source of strength on the way to a sustainable future. Korea and the UAE will recover and leap forward together, transcending generations and borders.

Honorable people of the UAE, distinguished guests,

Expo 2020 Dubai is giving a lot of inspiration to Korea in its bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan. The theme of the Busan Expo – “Transforming our world, navigating toward a better future” – is in line with the goal pursued by the Dubai Expo.

In the process of preparing for the Busan Expo, Korea will practice the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, inclusion and mutual benefit. The process will contain the story of humanity moving toward a sustainable future. Expo 2020 Dubai is connecting the minds of people around the world. In 2030, I hope that we will meet again in Busan, the maritime capital of Korea, and join the bold voyage of “transforming our world.”

The Dubai Expo’s 182-day journey will be long remembered in the hearts of people around the world. I hope that today’s Korea National Day will write a shining page in the history of the Dubai Expo’s success. I send greetings of friendship to the UAE citizens on behalf of the people of Korea. 

Thank you.