Public participation in the upcoming expo in Yeosu is picking up steam as more than 45,000 have applied to volunteer, its steering committee said Sunday.

The committee said it had accepted applications between April 1 and July 10 for volunteer work at the event, which will kick off May 12 in Korea’s southern port. Only 13,000 will be selected in April after document examinations, interviews and online and on-site training.

People of all ages lined up for positions ranging from exhibition guide and event support to traffic control and parking.

Of the total candidates, more than 80 percent are 30 years old or younger. Around 10 percent were in their 40s or 50s, and about 5.6 percent were older than 60 years old, the committee said.

The international fair also attracted 101 social groups and 371 universities across the country, as well as 450 foreigners, it added.

“Volunteering at the global expo is a challenge for me,” said Li Meng, a 28-year-old Chinese who applied for an interpreter job. “I’d like to experience Korea through the Yeosu Expo and promote it to the world.”

Under the theme “Living Ocean and Coast,” about 100 nations including Japan, Spain, China and Turkey will exhibit their diverse marine development and advancement of oceanic technology at the exhibition.

The 93-day event is expected to lure more than 8 million visitors around the world, the committee said.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)