• World’s largest lung cancer conference to take place at COEX Sept. 12–15, returning to Seoul after 19 years.
  • Seoul to host major Asia-Pacific infection control conference for the first time in Korea, expected to draw around 1,500 participants in 2030.
  • Seoul ranks third globally and first in Asia for international meetings according to UIA, while remaining among the world’s top 10 for the third consecutive year according to ICCA.
  • Comprehensive support from bidding and hosting to tourism programs to encourage longer stays and boost the local economy.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, September 10, 2026 — The Seoul Metropolitan Government has marked two major achievements in the global MICE sector: hosting the world’s largest international lung cancer conference and bringing a leading Asia-Pacific infection control conference to Korea for the first time. Together, the achievements once again demonstrate Seoul’s competitiveness as a leading MICE city in Asia and its ability to attract major international conferences.

Seoul and the Seoul Tourism Organization announced that the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2026) will be held at COEX from September 12 to 15 and that Seoul will host the 2030 Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC 2030) conference, following Seoul’s successful bid in August. Together, the two conferences are expected to bring approximately 9,500 medical professionals and industry representatives to Seoul.

Seoul plans to build on these achievements by combining the city’s outstanding medical and convention infrastructure with its rich cultural and tourism offerings to create high-value MICE opportunities that encourage participants to extend their stays. By encouraging participants to spend on accommodation, dining, shopping and tourism during their visits, the city aims to spread the economic benefits of major international conferences throughout Seoul.

<World’s Largest Lung Cancer Conference Returns to Seoul After 19 Years, Set for Sept. 12–15 at COEX>

WCLC 2026, the world’s largest international academic conference on lung cancer, is expected to bring approximately 8,000 lung cancer experts and industry professionals from around the world to Seoul. This marks the conference’s second time in Seoul, 19 years after it was first held in the city in 2007. Participants will share the latest research findings and treatment advances while building global research and collaboration networks.

<Seoul to Host Major Asia-Pacific Infection Control Conference for First Time in Korea, Drawing Around 1,500 Participants in 2030>

In August, Seoul also secured the hosting of APSIC 2030, marking the first time the conference will be held in Korea. Around 1,500 infection control experts and healthcare professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region are expected to participate. The conference is a leading international academic gathering in the field of infection control, bringing together participants from around 10 Asia-Pacific countries, including Singapore, Japan and Australia.

Seoul’s growing appeal as a destination for major international medical conferences is driven not only by its world-class medical professionals and institutions, but also by its strong transportation and accommodation infrastructure and its wealth of cultural and tourism offerings. The city’s capabilities as an international conference destination are also reflected in rankings by major international organizations.

According to the Union of International Associations (UIA), Seoul hosted 216 international meetings in 2025, ranking third in the world and first in Asia. The city also ranked ninth globally in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings, remaining among the world’s top 10 for the third consecutive year.

As international medical conferences are a key high-value segment of the MICE industry, generating spending by international participants on accommodation, dining and tourism, Seoul plans to build on these achievements to further strengthen its tourism and MICE industries and boost the local economy.