Seohyun, a member of Girls’ Generation, will serve as goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Pavilion at the 2012 Yeosu Expo, which will open in the southern port city of Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, on May 12.

Seohyun, the youngest of the nine-member group, accepted the post because she supports the pavilion’s objective of promoting the importance of the world’s oceans and coasts, according to the pavilion’s secretariat Thursday.

The appointment of Seohyun as goodwill ambassador was made at the end of March, when U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Seoul to attend the Nuclear Security Summit.

During the appointment ceremony, Seohyun agreed to promote the importance of the marine environment after hearing about the pavilion’s exhibitions and targets.

Seohyun was also quoted as saying that she was very happy to accept the letter of appointment from the U.N. head in person, whom she highly respects.

Ban asked the popular singer to play an active role in publicizing the pavilion’s goals, saying he hopes many visitors, including young students, will enhance their consciousness about the preservation of the marine environment thanks to Seohyun’s publicity.

The UN Pavilion will hold permanent exhibitions and offer various programs including film screenings, a mock U.N. General Assembly, and a musical gala show. Under Ban’s initiative, 24 U.N. organizations will participate in the pavilion’s programs.

The Yeosu Expo will be held for three months through Aug. 12 under the theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast.”

(Yonhap News)