KINTEX, Korea’s Largest Exhibition Venue—Within 30 Minutes of Seoul by High-Speed Rail: KINTEX and Goyang City’s MICE Strategy, with Reports from Exhibitions Held on Site [Korea 2025 Autumn Feature 2]

KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center), the largest exhibition and convention center in South Korea, is positioned as one of Asia’s leading MICE innovation platforms. Established on April 29, 2005, as a joint investment project between the national government and local authorities, KINTEX was developed with the dual objective of internationalizing Korea’s exhibition industry and addressing capacity shortages in domestic exhibition space.

This article presents an on-site report from KINTEX, outlining the scale of its facilities, its environmentally conscious design, and the broader MICE strategy being advanced by Goyang City, where the venue is located.

Background and Overview of KINTEX: Total Exhibition Space Exceeds 100,000㎡

Established with the aim of internationalizing Korea’s exhibition industry, KINTEX was developed as a joint investment project between the national government and local authorities. The initiative sought to address the shortage of exhibition and convention space in Korea while strengthening the global competitiveness of the country’s MICE sector.

The development plan was structured in three phases. At the time of its opening in 2005, Phase 1 delivered a three-story exhibition and convention facility on a site measuring 68,000 pyeong. One of KINTEX’s defining features is its ability to accommodate large-scale exhibitions and events involving heavy equipment—formats that had previously been difficult to host within the existing domestic exhibition market.

Today, KINTEX is the largest exhibition venue in South Korea and ranks fourth in Asia in terms of exhibition space. Its total exhibition area reaches 108,011㎡, positioning it among the world’s major large-scale exhibition facilities.

Facilities and Key Features of KINTEX

The facilities at KINTEX are broadly divided into two main complexes: Exhibition Center 1 and Exhibition Center 2. Exhibition Center 1 comprises one basement level and two floors above ground, while Exhibition Center 2 extends from one basement level up to 15 floors above ground.

To enhance visitor convenience, a moving walkway spanning approximately 100 meters connects the two buildings, enabling smooth and efficient circulation between Exhibition Center 1 and Exhibition Center 2. This design supports the operation of large-scale exhibitions and conventions that utilize both facilities simultaneously.

KINTEX also offers substantial parking capacity. In addition to 4,200 dedicated parking spaces, the venue can accommodate up to 4,000 vehicles in temporary parking areas. This high-capacity parking infrastructure contributes to a comfortable and accessible environment for exhibitors and visitors alike.

Goyang City’s MICE Strategy

Goyang City, where KINTEX is located, positions itself as an “Asia MICE Leading Destination.” As a host city for meetings and exhibitions, Goyang places a strong emphasis on sustainability in its MICE development policies.

The Goyang Convention Bureau has obtained ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management and publishes documents such as Sustainability Performance Reports and GDS-I Performance Improvement Reports. Through initiatives including the MICE Startup League and MICE Sustainability Workshops, the city promotes both innovation within the industry and long-term sustainable growth.

Event Support System by the Goyang Convention Bureau

The Goyang Convention Bureau provides comprehensive support to MICE organizers and visitors coming to Goyang. Assistance is offered to meeting planners, event professionals, and incentive organizers from the initial inquiry stage through to final decision-making.

KINTEX itself complements these efforts by providing extensive services, including information on exhibitions, conferences, tours, and hotels. The venue also offers large-scale banquet and catering services—among the largest in the region—along with on-site restaurants tailored for events and operational support services designed to ensure the smooth execution of programs.

KINTEX Web site　https://www.kintex.com/web/en/index.do

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High-Speed Rail and GTX: From Seoul Station to KINTEX in Just 17 Minutes

KINTEX offers outstanding accessibility. By using the GTX, the metropolitan rapid transit system, travel time from Seoul Station to KINTEX has been reduced to approximately 17 minutes, compared to more than one hour previously. According to KINTEX representatives, the opening of the GTX line has already resulted in a measurable increase in visitor numbers. Owing to this improved connectivity, inquiries have risen from organizers who previously held events in other regions but are now considering KINTEX for future exhibitions at Exhibition Center 1 and Exhibition Center 2.

GTX: A High-Speed Network Linking Central Seoul and the Metropolitan Area

The GTX project was introduced to address chronic traffic congestion in the Seoul metropolitan area. Designed as a high-speed rail system connecting central Seoul with suburban districts, its defining feature is that it runs through deep underground tunnels—at depths exceeding 40 meters—along largely straight alignments. The system reaches a maximum speed of 180 km/h (with commercial operating speeds of approximately 100 km/h), significantly reducing travel times compared to conventional subway lines, which typically operate at 30–40 km/h.

The system can be used with IC transit cards such as T-money, making it accessible and user-friendly for international visitors as well.

With the phased opening of the GTX-A line beginning in 2024, access to KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center) has improved substantially. Whereas travel from Seoul Station to KINTEX by public transportation previously required over one hour, the GTX-A line now reduces the journey to approximately 17 minutes. KINTEX Station is located directly in front of Exhibition Center 1, further enhancing convenience for exhibitors and attendees.

Although fares are higher than those of regional buses, they remain significantly lower than taxi fares—less than one-ninth by comparison—making the time savings economically reasonable. Because the GTX operates at considerable depth, however, additional time for vertical movement within stations should be factored in; door-to-door travel time is realistically estimated at around 25 to 30 minutes.

Future plans include a connection to the Gangnam area of Seoul (Samseong Station), which is expected to further reshape mobility patterns across the metropolitan region. As a result, the GTX project is widely regarded as a major factor in enhancing KINTEX’s competitiveness within the MICE market.

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The Future of KINTEX: Toward Becoming One of Asia’s Leading MICE Hubs with Exhibition Center 3

KINTEX is currently advancing a large-scale expansion project aimed at further strengthening its competitiveness in the global MICE market. Central to this initiative is the construction of Exhibition Center 3, scheduled for completion between 2027 and 2028. Upon completion, KINTEX is expected to rank among the largest exhibition venues in Asia.

During our on-site visit, construction was already progressing at a considerable scale, underscoring the magnitude of the project. Once Exhibition Center 3 is completed, total exhibition space is projected to reach approximately 170,000 to 180,000㎡, representing a significant expansion of overall capacity.

Enhancing Convenience Through Integrated Hotel Development

In conjunction with the development of Exhibition Center 3, KINTEX is also planning the construction of a hotel to improve convenience for exhibitors and visitors. As completion will take time, interim measures are reportedly being considered to ensure continued accessibility during the construction period.

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Exhibition Center 1

Exhibition Center 1 can be described as a conventional large-scale exhibition hall in its layout and function. The first floor consists of a spacious, open-plan hall designed to accommodate major trade shows and events. The corridor visible on the right in the photograph leads to the moving walkway that connects Exhibition Center 1 and Exhibition Center 2, enabling smooth circulation between the two facilities.

Upon entering through the main entrance, visitors are welcomed into an expansive atrium reminiscent of an airport terminal. To the left is a stylish café, while above the information desk a large LED display provides clear and vivid event information. The bright digital signage enhances visibility and contributes to a modern visitor experience.

On-site Report: G-FAIR Exhibition at KINTEX

During our visit, we registered as press to tour G-FAIR, which was held in Halls 4 and 5 of Exhibition Center 1. The exhibition brought together a wide range of products and technologies across sectors including food, kitchenware, beauty, and smart products.

G-FAIR has both B2B and B2C dimensions, attracting industry professionals as well as general visitors. The event provides a useful reference point for understanding the structure and atmosphere of trade shows in Korea, particularly those that combine business matching with consumer engagement.

Exhibition Center 1

On the day of our visit, the moving walkway connecting Exhibition Center 1 and Exhibition Center 2 was temporarily out of operation.

On the day of our visit, the moving walkway connecting Exhibition Center 1 and Exhibition Center 2 was temporarily out of operation. The walkway provides direct access between the two facilities and supports efficient visitor circulation during large-scale events.

Looking down toward the main entrance on the first floor, Exhibition Center 1 can be seen in the distance, illustrating the expansive layout of the facility.

With the Expansion of GTX and Exhibition Center 3, KINTEX Further Strengthens Its Presence in Korea’s MICE Industry

KINTEX is the largest exhibition and convention center in South Korea and ranks among the largest in Asia in terms of exhibition space. Developed as a joint initiative between the national government and local authorities, the project was designed to address the shortage of exhibition and convention capacity in Korea and to advance the internationalization of the industry. As part of this ongoing strategy, construction of Exhibition Center 3 is currently underway.

Beyond its scale, KINTEX contributes significantly to the regional community. Through the hosting of exhibitions and conferences, the venue supports economic revitalization and job creation. In addition, its environmentally conscious design—incorporating elements such as natural sunlight and geothermal energy—has helped reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. These initiatives support Goyang City’s broader sustainability policies from an infrastructure perspective.

From a tourism standpoint, KINTEX’s expansive and contemporary architecture, along with its diverse interior spaces, has been used as a filming location for commercials, films, television dramas, and music videos. Serving as a gateway to nearby attractions, the venue enables smooth connections to surrounding destinations and functions as an important point of interest for visitors to Goyang City. With the introduction of the GTX system, accessibility from central Seoul has improved further.

With continued infrastructure development, KINTEX is expected to remain a key pillar of Korea’s MICE industry and to play a central role in its future growth.