WHY SOUTH KOREA’S PM CAME TO CARICOM TALKS

IT is 10,000 miles between Trinidad and Tobago and South Korea, so if that country’s leader pays a visit, there must be specific reasons.

And there was a purpose for the trip to Port of Spain by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

The PM ostensibly came to attend the high-profile Caricom 50^th anniversary observances, and he brought gifts.

He wants to bolster South Korean-Caricom ties, especially in food security, renewable energy, marine and agricultural matters.

A cooperation agreement was signed.

He is also desirous of setting up a framework for support to the region, through the Caribbean Development Bank.

But PM Duck-soo is also lobbying Caricom support to get the right to host the 2030 World Expo, a lavish and long-running trade exhibition of scores of nations.

Participating countries showcase their products and craftsmanship, and this usually provides a major boost in economic returns for the host country.

The World Expo takes place every five years and lasts up to six months.

The most recent, in Dubai from October 2021 to March 2022, attracted 24 million visits.

The next event, in 2025, would take place in Osaka, Japan,

Busan, South Korea, is the frontrunner to host the 2030 World Expo, for 184 days, from May 1 to October 31.

Event organisers are pitching for 34.8 million visits.

Although South Korea is the frontrunner to host the prestigious event, its Prime Minister is seeking to garner as much international support as he can.

Apart from his visit to T&T, Duck-soo also went to Panama.