South Korea marked the 6th Ocean Day Thursday with a ceremony and celebrations across the nation.

President Kim Dae-jung was on hand at the ceremony held at the southern city of Yeosu. The president pledged all possible support for Yosu's bid for the 2010 World Expo.

Earlier this month, South Korea submitted an application to the International Exhibitions Bureau to host the 2010 World EXPO in the southern port city.

Since the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries announced the Korean government's decision to bid for the 2010 World EXPO in 19-97 at the Ocean Day Ceremony, the city has been preparing for the event.

A bidding committee plans to attend a B-I-E meeting in Paris next month to drum up support for Yeosu's bid.

Among contenders are Buenos Aires, Shanghai and Moscow. Officials say Yeosu's biggest rival is Shanghai.

BIE will receive applications until the end of this year and select the venue of the 2010 EXPO by a secret ballot among the organization's 88 member nations at its annual convention. That meeting is to be held at the end of next year.