In this April 20, 2012 photo, robots perform at Marine Robot pavilion of the EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea site in Yeosu, South Korea. More than 100 nations are expected to participate in the expo that will open from May 12 to Aug. 12 under the theme of "The Living Ocean and Coast." (The Associated Press )

A robot fish on a scientific mission shoots lasers from its nose, its tail swinging as it swims around a tank.

It's part of an effort to showcase technology at Expo 2012, which opened Saturday and will continue for three months in Yeosu, South Korea, with a theme focused on the ocean.

Organizers have coined the term "seavilization" to promote the event in this southern coastal city.

It's the first expo to be held in South Korea since 1993, and millions of visitors from around the world are expected to attend. Its formal theme is "The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities."

It's also being billed as the biggest gathering of robots in the history of expos, and South

In this Friday, April 20, 2012 file photo, a fish robot swims at the Marine Robot Pavilion of the EXPO 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea. The Expo 2012 will open for three months on May 12 in Yeosu with a theme focused on the ocean. Its formal theme is "The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities." (The Associated Press )

In addition to the robot fish with the laser-shooting nose, there is a humanlike robot that smiles, cries, frowns and winks at visitors; and at another booth, a group of robots the size of schoolchildren that dance in perfect harmony to the beat of Korean pop music.

Another robot that looks like a starfish crawls inside a water tank as it demonstrates its ability to detect and analyze underwater resources.

Organizers hope the expo will capture visitors' imagination while showcasing South Korea's eminence as a technology powerhouse.

Continue reading here:

Travel: Robots highlight ocean-themed technology expo in South Korea