The 2012 Yeosu Expo, the world`s largest maritime festival, kicked off its three-month run Friday with the opening ceremony. /nUnder the theme of "Living Ocean and Coast," the global gala event as officially recognized by the International Exhibitions Bureau is the second expo to be hosted by Korea after the 1993 Daejeon Expo. Befitting its status as one of the world`s top three festivals along with the Summer Olympics and the World Cup soccer finals, the Yeosu Expo will have the participation of 104 countries, including the U.S., Germany, France, China and Japan, and 10 international organizations. /n