The country last year ranked second in the hosting of international meetings. Shown is the Korea MICE Expo held from Nov. 3-5, 2025, at the convention center Coex in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. (K-MICE)

By Kang Gahui

The country last year hosted the second-most international conferences in the world.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 25 quoted a report from the Union of International Associations as saying Korea finished behind only the U.S.

The report said the country hosted 491 of the 9,281 international meetings held worldwide last year, or 5.29%, rising four spots from sixth in 2024, when it hosted 343 events (3.87%).

By city, Seoul placed third worldwide after Vienna and Brussels and first in the Asia-Pacific region. Busan was 22nd and Incheon 42nd.

Attributing the higher ranking to the hosting of last year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and policy actions to attract and support international events, the ministry pledged to continue efforts to raise the competitiveness of Korea's meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry.

kgh89@korea.kr