The southern city of Yosu is bidding for the 2010 World Expo. The city government plans to submit a formal bid to the Bureau of International Exposition in May.

The organization will vote late next year to select the venue.

Meanwhile, the government has formed a special committee to support Yosu's bid. The World Expo promotion committee headed by Prime Minister Lee Han-dong met in its first session Tuesday and decided to give full support.

Lee said government agencies concerned, private companies and local councils will work together to bring the expo to South Korea.

Yosu plans to host the World Expo for six months starting in May 2010.

Last September, the Yosu municipal government launched a campaign to promote its bid. As part of the campaign, the city invited foreign diplomats and their spouses stationed in South Korea and briefed them on its plan to host the world expo.

The expo features a wide range of exhibitions involving culture, science and technologies.