Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea embarked on a 90-day journey on May 12 to showcase humankind’s new ocean frontiers. 

Under the theme “The Living Ocean and Coast,” Expo 2012 Yeosu will give new insights into solutions to such problems as climate change and the use of the ocean. 

A dynamic opening ceremony with multimedia shows and fireworks was staged with more than 2,000 people in attendance including President Lee Myung-bak and Bureau International des Expositions Secretary General Vicente Gonzalez. Also on hand at the ceremony were Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark; President Ollanta Humala of Peru; Prime Minister Karim Massimov of Kazakhstan; President James Michel of the Seychelles; and President Anote Tong of Kiribati. 

A total of 104 countries, 10 international organizations, 23 local governments, and Korean companies are participating in the event. The Expo has 10 pavilions including the Korea Pavilion, the Theme Pavilion, the Sub-theme Pavilion, the International Pavilion, the Corporate Pavilion, and the Local Government Pavilion.

Here is a look at major must-see pavilions of the Expo that features fascinating things ranging from maritime architecture to marina blockbusters combining advanced technologies and exciting contents. 

The Korea Pavilion showcases exhibits of the country’s  vision to project the ocean and coastal areas as a new growth engine. Many exhibits in the pavilion will feature the event’s theme and the excellence of Korean culture and high-end information technology at the same time. Designed with a taegeuk motif, the pavilion offers spectators an opportunity to watch video footage documenting the development of Korea’s marine industry and the future of maritime research in a Circle-Vision 360 °￡theater. 

Among the four major attractions spectators cannot miss are the 67-meter-tall Sky Tower; Korea’s largest aquarium with a 6,030-ton fish tank; the Big-O, which is the first ever waterfront stage at an expo where more than 3,200 performances, cultural events, and other entertainment events will take place during the festival; and the Expo Digital Gallery (EDG), which is an open-format, 600-meter-long exhibition hall that links the high-speed KTX train station with the expo venue. 

True to the theme “The Living Ocean and Coast,” the Theme Pavilion, the world’ s first off-shore exhibition facility, helps shed light on humankind’ s knowledge and advancement of technology concerning the ocean and coast and identify ways to resolve challenges facing the ocean. The Theme Pavilion houses the Ocean and Coast Best Practice Area (OCBPA), which features the most innovative technologies, metho-dologies, and polices related to enhancing and preserving the oceans. 

Since the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea went into effect in 1993, the ocean has emerged as an important element in resolving various problems humankind faces, including those related to resources, food, space, and the env-ironment. However, industrial activities have damaged the marine ecosystem and subsequently reduced fish stocks. As a result, the ocean faces a severe crisis. A damaged marine ecosystem, global warming, and natural disasters are not limited to a certain country or region, but are issues that have global implications. Thus, Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea paves the way for reaffirming the global effort to resolve such issues.

The Expo’s theme, “The Living Ocean and Coast,” is divided into three sub-themes: Development and Preservation of the Ocean and Coast, New Resources Technology, and Creative Marine Activities. These sub-themes have been further developed into six thematic groups: Climate & Environment, Marine Life, Marine Industry & Technology, Marine City, Marine Civilization, and Marine Arts, each of which will be demonstrated in the respective sub-theme pavilions.