Min Hyungbae Asks President Lee to Attend "Yeosu World Island Expo" Opening Ceremony

Government Ministries and Affiliated Agencies Urged to Participate in Expo
Proposal Made to Expand AI and Data Training for Civil Servants

With the opening of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo approaching, Min Hyungbae, Mayor of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, has requested President Lee Jaemyung to attend the opening ceremony.

According to Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City on August 12, Mayor Min made the request during the 35th Cabinet Meeting held at the Government Sejong Office the previous day, stating, "This Expo is a stage to present the future of Korea's islands and marine sector to the world." He added, "If the President attends, it will demonstrate the nation’s will to become a maritime powerhouse and serve as great encouragement to the citizens of Yeosu, who have been struggling due to the downturn in the petrochemical industry."

Min Hyungbae, Mayor of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City, is attending the 35th Cabinet Meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong on the morning of the 11th, submitting proposals on local issues. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City

This Yeosu World Island Expo is the first international event to be held since Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City was established. The city explained that it is the world’s first expo themed around islands. Mayor Min stated, "We will promote the ecological, historical, and cultural value of islands and present directions for sustainable development to respond independently to rising sea levels, resource depletion, and population decline."

The expo will run from September 5 to November 4 in the Yeosu area. Preparations for the venues and exhibition facilities have been completed. The special city is reviewing safety measures and plans for transporting visitors, including consultations with Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) to increase KTX train services. Mayor Min also called on government ministries and affiliated agencies to participate in the expo.

Mayor Min also proposed expanding artificial intelligence (AI) and data education for public officials to the government. The idea is to increase specialized training so that public officials with knowledge of administrative fieldwork can develop their own AI systems.

Mayor Min cited cases in which level 7 civil servants who completed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s training program developed the 'AI Travel Expense Assistant' and the 'Negotiated Contract Business Support System' to help with travel expense management and contract-related work. He commented, "Hiring private-sector developers is important, but it is equally critical to train and utilize employees who understand the process and content of administrative work."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.