COEX likely to become venue for next year's G20 summit: source

COEX likely to become venue for next year's G20 summit: source
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- The government may pick the Convention and Exhibition
Center (COEX) in southern Seoul as the main venue for next year's G20 economic
summit meeting, a government source said Saturday.

The source said organizers gave COEX high marks mainly due to the high standard
of accommodation that can be offered to visiting leaders, although there were
some concerns about security and traffic control. The convention center is
located in the heart of the busy Gangnam district.
South Korea earlier in the year won the right to chair the fifth G20 forum
scheduled for next year. The summit of the world's 20 advanced and developing
economies aims to deal with various economic and financial issues facing the
globe and build consensus among countries that have the greatest impact.
The official, who declined to be identified, said the Korea International
Exhibition Center northwest of Seoul was reviewed but dropped because various
construction works are taking place nearby and there was a lack of good hotels in
the immediate vicinity.
"A proposal to hold the summit on an artificial islet on the Han River was not
examined because of security considerations," he said, adding that plans are
being looked at to hold official dinners in one of Seoul's palaces.
In addition to the selection of venues, the government is looking to host an
"Business 20" meeting on the sidelines of the G20 so top CEOs can meet and
discuss outstanding issues.
Insiders said exact details on the official name or other aspects of the proposed
business meeting have not been decided, but heads of top 20 business group of
each G20 country may be invited.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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