Lee Dong-woo, a former Cheong Wa Dae senior secretary for administrative affairs, has been appointed as secretary-general of Gyeongju Culture Expo.

The Gyeongju Culture Expo organizing committee announced on Monday that Lee’s inauguration as the new secretary-general of the organization will take place Tuesday. 

In his new post, Lee will oversee the upcoming “Istanbul-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2013” which will be held Aug. 31 to Sept. 22 in Istanbul.

“The Istanbul-Gyeongju World Culture Expo will be a success. I will try to encourage the participation of private enterprises, central government and the general public,” said Lee in a press statement. “I will create a positive atmosphere for the Istanbul Expo, the event will be a global agenda for the two countries,” he said.

The Istanbul expo, organized jointly by Gyeongju City and the city of Istanbul, is scheduled to take place in numerous locations in the Turkish city with participation by more than 50 countries.

“This will be a great opportunity to promote ‘hallyu.’ It will also be a starting point for a vibrant new economic exchange,” he said.

By Bae Soo-min (soomin623@heraldcorp.com)