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The center of finance, IT, and business, Seoul is an international information city with major national government organizations, foreign embassies and consulates, and 6,200 international companies. Thanks to the Seoul International Finance Center (SIFC), Sangam-dong Digital Media City (DMC), and the International Business Center (IBC), the city is now considered a first-class venue for international meetings. Seoul is, indeed, the second-most popular international convention destination in Asia and the tenth-most popular in the world, with plenty of professional know-how and human resources in this area. Along with COEX, ranking tenth among the world’s convention centers, the metropolitan area offers 53 international conference venues including hotel meeting halls, 17,343 rooms in 5-star and 4-star hotels, 7,841 rooms in 3-star and 4-star hotels, and 2,121 rooms in hotel-style long-term accommodation facilities. As such, Seoul has the added advantage of well-established conditions for international conventions. Meanwhile, a comprehensive media infrastructure is firmly in place, including 88 international media organizations, national dailies, and broadcasting companies, that give maximum exposure in overseas promotion.

As the nation’s capital for 600 years, Seoul has preserved its tradition and ancient history: the five major royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, which are Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Gyeonghuigung, as well as 266 cultural assets. Downtown Seoul is home to numerous museums, art galleries, performance facilities, and theme parks, together with tourist sites like N Seoul Tower, 63 City and its observatory, and the Hangang River cruise for night views of the city. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the nightlife: the clubs and restaurants of Hongdae and Itaewon and the shopping at Dongdaemun Market. Or they can enjoy Seoul’s more staid culture of Insa-dong, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Seoul Forest, Myeong-dong, and Cheongdam-dong, where tradition meets modernity.

Seoul boasts a dependable public transportation system of buses and subway lines. The bus system with bus-only lanes and bus routes has been streamlined and the 8-line subway system ensures fast and convenient travel to all parts of Seoul. In line with the fast and easy ground transportation system connecting nearby cities, Seoul also has outstanding air transportation for international flights. As the hub of the Asia-Pacific region, Seoul offers streamlined travel to 121 major cities around the world, with major international airlines from 84 countries, 272 international routes, and 2,846 weekly flights. As for domestic flights, Seoul also serves 13 major cities including Busan, Jeju, and Gwangju, with 18 routes and 2,682 weekly flights. From downtown Seoul, Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport are about 40 to 60 minutes away. The transportation system is expected to become even more convenient with the New Airport Railway. Scheduled to open in 2007, it will connect Incheon International Airport, Gimpo Airport and Seoul Station in 2007.