YEOSU, South Korea, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- South Korean Prime Minister Chung Un-chan on Monday vowed to give his government's full support to successfully host the 2012 World Expo in the Peninsula's southern city of Yeosu.

    "The government will give full support for the Yeosu Expo as it could be the most successful event," said Chung at the expo's groundbreaking ceremony held in the host city.

    "As the World Expo is one of the three biggest global events, along with the Olympics and the World Cup, it will help the country boost the economy and raise its status on the world stage," he added.

    Chung also reiterated that South Korea will lead the global move to solve climate change and sea pollution through the expo, as the slogan of the event states "The Living Ocean and Coast."

    The 93-day expo, starting in May 2012, is expected to attract over 8 million visitors from more than 100 countries worldwide.