SHANGHAI, May 25, (Xinhua) -- The Republic of Korea (ROK) National Pavilion for the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai broke ground Monday.

The national pavilion will be the largest that the ROK has built for a World Expo abroad, ROK Knowledge Economy Minister Lee Youn-ho told the groundbreaking ceremony. The exhibit will have two parts: one pavilion for companies and a national pavilion.

"This fully demonstrates that our country attaches great importance to the relationship with China, and I hope the two countries will expand economic and cultural exchanges and deepen friendship through the Shanghai Expo," said Lee.

The Expo runs from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010 and more than 200 countries and international organizations have agreed to participate.