24th World Korean Business Convention Closes with $298.67 Million in Export Consultations and $9.4 Million in On-Site Deals

The 24th World Korean Business Convention, held at Songdo ConvensiA in Incheon on 28–30 September, closed with $298.67 million in export consultations and $9.4 million in on-site export contracts. Some 1,000 overseas Korean business leaders from 71 countries and about 2,000 domestic businesspeople attended. It was the first convention since the event moved from a government-led format to one run by the overseas Korean business community itself.

By the editorial desk

This was the third convention held in Incheon, after 2009 and 2018, and the first since the Overseas Koreans Agency opened there. It was linked to ‘World Korean Week 2026’, with events for Korean association leaders and the next generation held in Songdo at the same time. Besides the business exhibition, the programme included the World Korean Business Forum, a young leaders’ forum, a startup competition and industrial tours.

Consultations and contracts

The business exhibition had 395 booths, and about 300 overseas buyers held one-on-one meetings with Korean companies. On-site export contracts totalled $9.4 million, and 32 export memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth $24.22 million were signed. About 15,000 members of the public visited.

Consultation and MOU figures include potential future business. Actual export volumes will only be clear from follow-up contracts.

110 Incheon companies take part

Host city Incheon ran 120 booths, bringing together 110 local small and medium-sized firms in food, beauty, living goods and other fields with a city promotion pavilion. On the final day it held an investment briefing for overseas Korean business leaders on the city’s investment climate and key industries, presenting biotech, intelligent robotics, aircraft maintenance (MRO) and urban development projects as investment areas. The city also handled transport, accommodation and tourism guidance and follow-up support for participants.

Next stop: Gyeongju

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province was introduced as the next host city at the closing ceremony. At the general assembly on the final day, participants also discussed holding region-specific events built around regional hubs.

Business Checkpoints

Korean businesses in China dealing in food, beauty or household goods may find new suppliers among the Korean SMEs that exhibited. Information on exhibitors and follow-up meetings is available from the convention secretariat or the Overseas Koreans Agency. China-based firms considering a production base in Korea or a dual-location strategy may also want to look at the investment areas and support terms Incheon presented.

Consultation figures are a pre-contract measure. To turn meetings into real business, firms should put samples, prices and delivery terms in writing and keep negotiations going. Once the dates for next year’s convention in Gyeongju are set, it is worth building them into travel plans early.

※ This article is based on information published by Incheon Metropolitan City and Korean media reports.