The Joint Committee for Promoting Normalization of the Exhibition Industry, led by Chair Kang Ju-yong, met April 29 with Rep. Kim Won-i, the Democratic Party’s floor spokesperson on the National Assembly’s Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, to urge changes to plans to close major COEX exhibition halls for remodeling and to ask for parliamentary mediation.
Kang said that if the Korea International Trade Association’s plan leads to a shutdown from July 2027 for about 18 months, export-oriented small and midsize companies could see export losses of about 4.3 trillion won. He said the plan should be reviewed for consistency with policies to foster the MICE industry.
Kang also said the association and COEX notified the industry in a blanket announcement in January without sufficient prior consultation, leaving limited time to prepare and increasing the burden on related businesses.
The committee has proposed adjusting the construction schedule until the expected completion of KINTEX’s third exhibition hall in late 2028 and securing alternative venues such as Olympic Park. The trade association has not yet presented a detailed position, it said.
Kang warned that a prolonged suspension at COEX could push major international exhibitions to Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo and Dubai, and that winning them back could take considerable time. He said a closure plan without parallel alternatives should be reconsidered.
Kim said he shared concerns about the industrial impact of a COEX shutdown and would continue discussions on alternatives so the government can adequately reflect views from the field. He added the issue is also being discussed within the National Assembly and could be reviewed at the party level.
Earlier, the committee urged lawmakers to play a coordinating role, arguing the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s response has been insufficient. It called for an alternative plan by May, withdrawal of the 2027 exhibition space allocation announcement, and measures to keep exhibitions operating during construction through consultations with the government and the Seoul city government.
The committee said it will continue its response while monitoring steps by the ministry and the trade association.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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