With less than 20 days to go, South Korea's southern island of Wando is putting the final touches to the country's first international seaweed-themed expo, organizers said Tuesday.

The Wando Seaweeds Expo 2014 will be held on Wando, a remote island off the nation's southwestern coast, from April 11 for a month, organizers said. The expo, under the theme of "seaweeds and their role in mankind's future," will provide a chance to raise awareness of the importance of seaweed as an alternative food source, they added.

The organizing committee said it is in the final stage of fine-tuning venues and security measures, adding that the main exhibition hall will be disclosed to the public for the first time on April 3.

There will be various workshops, exhibitions and forums held during the 31-day expo where some 60 companies dealing with the marine plants from more than 20 countries gather to discuss the future course of the seaweed industry, they said.

The number of attendees is expected to top its goal of 700,000 throughout the event, the committee said, as more than 80 percent of tickets have already been sold, which is more than its initial goal.

The organizing committee said the expo will be a great opportunity to explore Wando since ticket holders are entitled to free admission to tourist attractions near the island.

After the event, the organizers said they will transform the venues into public exhibition halls or museums where children and young students can learn about seaweed. (Yonhap