From Korea’s First Specialized Exhibition Venue in 1979 to the 2026 Event Venue: How to Understand COEX at Samseong Station

Samseong-dong’s Exhibition Venue, Launched at the Korea International Exhibition Center on July 3, 1979

COEX began with the opening of the Korea International Exhibition Center (KOEX) in Samseong-dong on July 3, 1979. Materials from the National Archives of Korea and the Korea Exhibition Industry Association record it as Korea’s first specialized exhibition facility. Discussions on establishing a permanent exhibition venue became serious in 1975, and after a dedicated task force was formed in January 1976, the Korea International Trade Association established the implementation framework.

Today’s COEX is not merely a shopping facility; its essential purpose is as a venue created for exhibitions and international conferences. After Seoul was confirmed as the host city for ASEM in 1996, plans to develop a comprehensive convention center were pursued, and the existing Korea International Exhibition Center was demolished in 1997. The construction of ASEM Tower on the site in 2000 changed the spatial layout of the Samseong-dong Trade Center area.

Why You Should Distinguish Between the Free Building and Paid Exhibitions

There is no separate admission fee to enter the COEX building and its shared lobbies. However, the cost of entering exhibition halls such as Hall A, B, C, and D is set by the exhibition or fair organizers, and conditions vary each time, including free advance registration, paid on-site registration, and invitation-only entry. The safest approach is to check the date, hall, and reservation link first in the official COEX event schedule.

According to guidance from the Seoul Tourism Organization, COEX’s general operating hours are 10:00–18:00 daily, but opening and closing times vary by event. For example, some events close early on their final day, so 18:00 should not automatically be considered the admission cutoff for the exhibition venue. The main inquiry number is 02-6000-0114; weekday consultations are available from 09:00–18:00, Saturdays from 10:00–17:00, and Sundays and public holidays from 10:00–16:00.

• Building admission: Free
• Exhibition admission: Varies by event
• Check the official schedule: https://www.coex.co.kr/
• Main telephone: 02-6000-0114

A 273 m Walk from Exit 6 of Line 2 Samseong Station, with Routes Dividing toward Line 9 Bongeunsa Station

For first-time visitors, using Exit 6 of Line 2 Samseong Station as the reference point is the simplest option. The Seoul Tourism Organization lists the distance from this exit to COEX as 273 m. Exhibition notices present Exits 5 and 6 of Samseong Station, Exits 1, 6, and 7 of Line 9 Bongeunsa Station, and Exit 2 of Line 7 Cheongdam Station as access options.

The exhibition venue’s location should be checked again using the Hall letters on the signs. Entering from the Samseong Station side leads to a spacious indoor route connected to Starfield COEX Mall, so travel time can become lengthy if you have not identified your destination hall. COEX provides indoor navigation for PCs and mobile devices; you can search for a starting point and destination or continue the route on your phone using a QR code.

• Line 2: Exit 6 of Samseong Station, approximately 273 m
• Line 9: Exits 1, 6, and 7 of Bongeunsa Station available
• Line 7: Exit 2 of Cheongdam Station available
• Before arriving at the exhibition venue: Check the event name together with Hall A–D

How to Check the Storage Areas and Accessible Restrooms in Front of Hall A and Hall B First

The Seoul Tourism Organization states that luggage storage areas are located in front of the escalator beside Shinhan Bank in Hall A and in front of the escalator beside the information desk in Hall B. If you plan to tour the exhibition with a large suitcase, it is better to confirm which hall hosts the event and then choose the nearest storage location.

Facilities and services for visitors with mobility needs include accessible restrooms, accessible parking spaces, accessible walkways, elevators, and information services including wheelchair rentals. Stroller rental is also listed as available, but the number of items available and same-day operating status may vary. International visitors can use the official website, which supports Korean and English, together with subway signs in Korean, English, and Chinese.

1,500 Won for Every 15 Minutes by Car and 60,000 Won for a Full Day: Why the Subway Is Better on Exhibition Days

COEX parking fees for passenger cars are 3,000 won for the first 30 minutes, followed by 1,500 won for every additional 15 minutes, amounting to 6,000 won for one hour. The daily parking fee is listed as 60,000 won. Parking is free if you exit within 20 minutes of entering, but large buses cannot use the COEX parking lot.

On days when major exhibitions are held, waiting times to enter and exit the parking lot may be long. If your sole purpose is to attend an event, accessing the area via Samseong Station or Bongeunsa Station makes costs and travel time easier to predict. If you need to use a vehicle, check the event information again for the area closest to the exhibition venue, and contact 02-6002-7130 for parking inquiries. COEX operates a contactless parking system, and some payment and discount methods vary depending on event or partnership conditions.

• First 30 minutes: 3,000 won
• Additional 15 minutes: 1,500 won
• 1 hour: 6,000 won
• Daily parking: 60,000 won
• Exit within 20 minutes: Free
• Parking inquiries: 02-6002-7130

A 2–4-Hour Itinerary from Samseong Station Covering Exhibitions, the Library, and Bongeunsa Temple

The time needed to explore COEX alone varies greatly depending on your purpose. One to two hours is sufficient for visiting a single event venue, while two to four hours is more realistic if you also visit COEX Mall and Starfield Library after the exhibition. Conversely, an industrial fair requiring visits to several exhibition halls may take half a day, including registration, admission queues, and meal time.

The indoor and outdoor axis between Samseong Station and Bongeunsa Station connects the exhibition venue, shopping mall, dining areas, library, and the area toward Bongeunsa Temple. Therefore, on days when the exhibition end time is fixed, it is better to see the exhibition first and then move to the mall’s indoor facilities or the area around Bongeunsa Temple. The official COEX website provides both the event schedule and indoor directions, so you should check them again just before your visit.