Busan on Tuesday officially declared its bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik in a news conference said the world has recognized his city's capabilities through its hosting of the 2002 Asian Games and this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

As the first step, he said Busan will seek to host in 2009 the general assembly of the International Olympic Committee and the 13th Olympic Congress.

The IOC will decide in February the host city of its 2009 assembly.