Construction Begins on Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center... City Aims to Become a Global MICE Industry Hub

Jangseong-dong Area to Be Completed by End of 2026... Total Floor Area of 63,818㎡, Six Floors

Mayor Lee Kangduk: "A Turning Point for a Quantum Leap in Global Urban Competitiveness"

Pohang City held a groundbreaking ceremony on the 18th for the Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center (POEX), which is set to become the core hub of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry?a new growth engine for the city?and establish itself as a regional landmark.

Bird's-eye view of Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center (POEX).

The ceremony was attended by over 2,000 people, including Mayor Lee Kangdeok of Pohang, Chairman Kim Ilman of the Pohang City Council, Governor Lee Cheolwoo of North Gyeongsang Province, Chairman Park Seongman of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council, representatives from four universities in Pohang, academic and industry association officials, MICE industry professionals, sister city delegates, heads of various organizations, and local residents.

The event opened with a traditional percussion performance, a pre-ceremony performance by singer Ryu Yeonju, Pohang's promotional ambassador, and a POEX promotional video. The ceremony continued with a progress report on the steps leading up to the groundbreaking of the Pohang International Convention Center and a groundbreaking performance using large drones.

At the end of the event, there was a celebratory performance by trot singer Shin Sung, and a surprise performance by Jeon Yujin, known as Pohang's daughter, which heightened the atmosphere and marked the finale of the groundbreaking ceremony.

The Pohang International Convention Center completed site acquisition in 2019, established its master plan in 2020, conducted a feasibility study in 2021, passed the local finance investment review in 2022, and completed architectural design and other preliminary administrative procedures in 2023.

Through a public contest involving citizens in May of this year, the name "POEX" was finalized, and in June, a construction contract was signed with Dongbu Construction, completing all preparations for the project.

POEX will be built on the former US military Camp Rivi site in Jangseong-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang, covering 26,608 square meters. The facility will have six floors, including one basement and five above-ground levels, with a total floor area of 63,818 square meters.

Major facilities will include a 7,183-square-meter exhibition hall, a convention hall capable of accommodating over 2,000 people simultaneously, 11 medium and small meeting rooms, citizen rest areas, commercial and office spaces, and a rooftop offering panoramic views of Youngilman Bay. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "POEX will serve as a regional landmark and the core hub of the MICE industry. Through international conferences, forums, and seminars, it will act as a catalyst for the next 100 years of Pohang's future industries, such as secondary batteries, hydrogen, and bio, alongside the steel industry. Once completed, POEX will be a turning point for Pohang, enabling a quantum leap in the city's global competitiveness."

In Pohang, local companies, universities, and R&D institutions host more than 200 MICE events annually. With the continued attraction of national projects related to new industries, demand for international-scale exhibitions and conventions is expected to surge.

The city plans to leverage this growth potential in the MICE industry by developing international-scale convergence and fusion exhibitions after POEX is built, ensuring stable and robust operations. By linking citizen experience and marine tourism programs, Pohang aims to revitalize the local economy and create jobs, making thorough preparations for a seamless launch.