The World Expo organizer yesterday authorized Globe Vision Korea (GVK) to handle the event's tickets sales in the Republic of Korea.

Chen Xianjin, deputy director general of the Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau, presented a plaque to GVK at an Expo promotional fair in Seoul, South Korea's capital.

Chen talked about updates and highlights of the 2010 World Expo as well as the ROK Pavilion, ROK Corporate Pavilion as well as Seoul's display at the Urban Best Practices Area.

China and South Korea have seen closer exchanges in recent years with this year designated as Visit China Year and 2012 as Visit South Korea Year, Chen said. South Korea is an important leg for the organizer to attract visitors, he added.

Overseas tourist groups will enjoy preferential service while visiting Expo, such as priority reservations for popular pavilions, direct buses to the site and designated group channels, Chen said.

GVK will team up with Interpark, South Korea's biggest retail online platform as well as travel agencies in the country to promote ticket sales.

Kang Dong-Suk, chairman of the Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea, said South Koreans will be encouraged to visit the Shanghai Expo and he hoped more Chinese would visit the Yeosu World Expo in 2012.