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EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea

The Living Ocean and Coast

1. Overview

Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea shall open for 93 days from May 12 to August 12, 2012 in the New Port Area, Yeosu, located in the center of the southern coast of the Korean peninsula.

The theme of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea is “The Living Ocean and Coast,” which has been categorized into three sub-themes: “Coastal Development and Preservation,” “New Resources Technology,” and “Creative Maritime Activities.”

So that the ocean in crisis can become the ocean of hope, the Yeosu Expo will revolutionize the way humankind interacts with the ocean by presenting the Blue Economy as a new paradigm of maritime innovation.

The Expo site will be 2,715,000㎡, comprising the Exhibition Area (250,000㎡), Expo Town (540,000㎡), Expo Station (160,000㎡), Transit Parking Lots (1530,000㎡), and other facilities.

Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea is an International Recognized Exhibition officially approved by the BIE (Bureau of International Expositions).

As of March 3, 2012, 106countries, 10 international organizations, seven Korean global companies have made official confirmation to participate in Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea.

Economically, the Yeosu Expo is expected to generate KRW 12.2 trillion (USD 11.2 billion) in production, KRW 5.7 trillion (USD 5.3 billion) of added value, and 80,000 new jobs nationwide. The total cost to be invested in the Expo is KRW 2.1 trillion (USD 1.9 billion).

■ Main exhibition facilities

The main exhibition facilities shall be constructed according to two categories: the exhibition facilities of the host country and those of the participating countries. All regulations related to the BIE Recognized International Expositions have been observed. The main exhibition facilities have been distributed across the international exhibition area in consideration of the optimal operation of the Expo site, its services, the regional features, connection with outside areas, and visitors’ observation routes.

① Theme Pavilion: symbol of the city, coast, and ocean

Called “One Ocean,” the Theme Pavilion will embody an example of marine architecture. It was the winner of the international competition for the design of the pavilion that 136 teams from 31 countries took part in.

theme pavilion

The Theme Pavilion, a landmark of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea, will serve as a core facility representing the theme of the Expo. The facility was designed to represent the exhibition theme, “interaction between humanity and the ocean.” Furthermore, the design also emphasizes the central idea of the Expo — the Blue Economy.

Planned on a total floor area of 7,413 m2 (on two stories) off the shore of the Expo site, the Theme Pavilion will be composed of a thematic exhibition facility and the Ocean and Coast Best Practice Area (OCBPA), where the best practice cases from around the world will be showcased. It will be able to accommodate up to 1,800 visitors.

② Sub-theme Pavilions: Marine Life, Climate and Environment, Industry and Technology, Civilization, and Marine Arts

The three sub-themes of the Expo 2012 are: “Coastal Development and Preservation,” “New Resources Technology,” and “Creative Maritime Activities.” The three sub-themes shall be highlighted through four Sub-theme Pavilions (Marine Life Pavilion or Aquarium, Climate and Environment Pavilion, Marine Industry and Technology Pavilion, Marine Civilization Pavilion, and Marine City Pavilion) and the Expo Digital Gallery (Marine Arts).

The Sub-theme Pavilions, dispersed around the Big-O area, will allow visitors to experience the Expo theme in many places on the site. In particular, the Marine Arts, unlike other sub-themes, will be represented in the Expo Digital Gallery, which is an art piece in and of itself interweaving digital technology and art.

Marine Civilization Pavilion & Marine City Pavilion

Climate and Environment Pavilion

Marine Industry and Technology Pavilion

③Korea Pavilion

Korea Pavilion

The Korea Pavilion will be an exhibition facility expressing the vision of a country strong in maritime affairs and in its contribution to the future human society. The building will symbolize new marine green growth. Furthermore, it will be designed as a permanent building to ensure that it can continue to deliver the message of the Expo, even after the international event has come to a close.

The Korea Pavilion, as the main exhibition facility of the host country, will be where protocol programs and numerous events will be hosted. The total floor area spans 9,245m2 and the construction area 5,241m2. It will be located near the main gate of the Expo site.

④ International Pavilion: unity and co-existence of the five oceans

The International Pavilion will provide the space for which 100 participating countries can plan and hold their exhibitions. It will be divided into two categories, the individual national pavilions and joint national pavilions, to demonstrate the fundamental spirit of the Expo: harmony, coexistence, and co-prosperity of humankind. A cluster for each ocean has been created to express the harmony and coexistence of the five oceans (Its total area will be 132,649 m2).

The International Pavilion is an architectural realization of Korea’s southern coast in state-of-the-art construction materials, with many small islands that can be glimpsed through the misty air and calm waters.

To realize the theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast,” solar energy, the Bernoulli Effect (a natural ventilation system), and other eco-friendly elements will be used in the architecture.

International Pavilion, a metaphor of Korea’s South Coast Archipelago

⑤ Marine Life Pavilion (Aquarium): the ecosystem of the five oceans

With a total area of 16,400 m2 and 6,030-ton water tanks, the Marine Life Pavilion comprises the Aqua Museum, Coastal Life Museum, and Marine Life Museum.

The Marine Life Pavilion will exhibit diverse marine ecosystems of the five oceans. It will recreate the ocean ecosystems as a 21st century aquarium using information technology and ubiquitous technology.

The Marine Life Pavilion will also be a place where the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute conduct studies and develops technology for the preservation and cultivation of marine species. It will also house endangered species, such as the Beluga whale, Baikal seal, Sea dragon, which cannot be seen at other commercial aquariums.

The Marine Life Pavilion will be funded by the private sector, and after the Exposition comes to a close, it will be a core tourist site as the largest aquarium in Korea.

Marine Life Pavilion (Aquarium)

⑥ Other exhibition facilities: an Expo of participation and networks

In addition to the main exhibition facilities, International Organizations Pavilion, Local Government Pavilion, and Corporate Pavilion will be constructed to encourage the participation of global and local communities, and public and private institutions.

All exhibition facilities will include waiting spaces inside and outside of the facility for the convenience and safety of the visitors. In addition, pavilions will be allocated in consideration of the movement of crowds to ensure smooth operation throughout the 93 days of the mega event.

More information on the Yeosu Expo exhibition facilities and presale tickets can be found at the official website: www.expo2012.or.kr (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, French).

A first look at the Yeosu Expo

Yeosu Expo, a must-visit destination