Industry ministry backs 28 exhibitions during Coex overhaul

South Korea's industry ministry said Tuesday it had secured alternative venues for 28 exhibitions planned for 2027, as Coex prepares to renovate halls that host major trade shows.

The agreement was signed Aug. 11 at SETEC Convention Center by the Korea Exhibition Organizers Association, the Korea Exhibition Industry Promotion Association, the Korea International Trade Association, Coex, SETEC, Kintex and Incheon Tourism Organization.

The work is linked to Seoul's Gangnam Integrated Transfer Center project. Coex plans to halt operations at Halls A and C, two of its four exhibition halls, from July 2027 through December 2028.

The 18-month shutdown raised concerns that major shows normally held at Coex could be disrupted. Exhibition industry representatives had sought a delay to the project or partial operation of Halls A and C during construction.

Since April, the ministry has operated an exhibition-industry task force with major organizers, the trade association and Coex. The group has discussed renovation plans, alternative-venue assignments and support measures.

The exhibitions have been assigned space at SETEC Convention Center, Coex Magok, aT Center, Kintex and Songdo Convensia. Coex and the Korea International Trade Association will seek additional space at nearby cinemas and hotel banquet halls and extend permitted preparation and dismantling time to 15 hours from 10 hours.

SETEC Convention Center, Kintex and Incheon Tourism Organization agreed to cooperate on rental arrangements. The Korea Exhibition Industry Promotion Association will help organizers find other venues and offer promotion and transport-cost incentives, while the Korea Exhibition Organizers Association will inform its members of the measures and collect their concerns.

"This MOU will mark the starting point and serve as a catalyst for the industry to overcome potential disruptions to exhibitions," Kang Gam-chan, the ministry's trade and investment chief, said.

For exhibitions using alternative venues in 2027, the ministry plans to give additional points under its domestic exhibition-support program and expand the program's support categories. It also plans to actively foster regional exhibitions from next year in connection with five-pole, three-special-region growth engines.