In line with the enactment of the Electronics Industry Promotion Law, ‘Korea Precision Machinery & Equipment Center (the predecessor of the KEA) held the first Korea Electronics Show on January 28, 1969. The KES was designed to help the government to draw up an 8-year roadmap for the promotion of the electronics industry and to achieve a USD100 million export/target in 1971. The 1st KES displayed black and white TVs, radios, speakers and condensers, etc. for eight days at the National Publicity Hall near the Duksoo Palace. Substantial achievements were made at the KES: 63 technological negotiations and 25 business discussions.
In 1972, the KES featured business transaction talks over USD 10 million deals and displayed color TVs for the first time. In 1973, coupled with a computer show, the KES transformed itself into a state of art exhibition. In 1976, KES was held at the Yoido Exhibition Center. In the same year, the KEA started to participate in holding the KES. About 138,000 visitors came to the 7th KES in 1976, and deals worth over USD100 million were put on the negotiating table. Thanks to the KES, participating companies won deals worth US$200 million in 1977 and worth USD 300 million in 1978.
In March 1979, the KEA took over from the previous exhibition organizer, the Korea Precision Machinery & Equipment Center (KPMEC). As a result, the KEA became the new organizer of the KES. Following the change, the KEA wound up the Yoido era and opened a new era at the Convention & Exhibition Center (COEX) in Seoul.
In 1995, the KEA held the first local electronics show in Busan independently from the KES. The local show was held in order to lay the foundation for the development of the electronic industries in noncentral areas. The successful local show helped S. Korea’s world-class electronics industry leave a strong impression on not only the local community, but also 80,000 visitors.
The rapid development of information and communications technology, based on the digital technology evolution in 21st century, accelerated technological convergence. As a result, the IT industry needed a new paradigm. 2000 The KES presented various products under the theme, “It’s a Digital World”. The digital multimedia products, which created new styles and cultures, ultramodern information and communication devices that ushered the nation into the era of the Internet, and many other newest technical products were displayed at the show. More than 170,000 visitors, including 5,000 buyers, visited the 2000 KES making the KES the most important event and ambassador for the Korean electronics industry.
About 550 companies from the 18 different countries participated in the 36th KES which was held under the motto ‘Advance to the future. The show succeeded in promoting S. Korea’s electronics industry globally, vitalizing the domestic market, and expediting the exchange of information on technology and global market trends. The 2005 KES was scheduled to coincide with other major electronics shows held in Northeast Asia (e.g. Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc.), with a view to attracting more international buyers to S. Korea. The exhibition attracted about 210,000 visitors, including 6,000 foreign buyers. Edward Prescott, a Nobel Prize winner in economics and professor at the University of Arizona, delivered a keynote speech at the KES, thus taking the show to the next level.
The KES 2009 was held at KINTEX in Ilsan under the slogan, “You’ll be the first witness to meet the future!”. It started with the opening ceremony titled ‘Wearable IT Fashion Show’, where models wore a wide range of wearable IT products. The show displayed information appliances, information & communication technology, integration, semiconductors, and display panels, as well as collision avoidance systems, 3D displays, green internet cafes, 3D endoscopy, digital broadcasting equipment, and many other eye-catching products. There were lots of things to see at the show, and people had a glimpse of the future of the market. Despite the global economic slowdown, many multinational companies, like Nissan Motor, Murata, Epson, 3M and HP; a number of high-tech companies in the areas of 3D, environment, game, and broadcasting system; Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics; and LG Electronics participated in the show, showing their interest in R&D. Furthermore, more than 3,000 buyers from 23 countries, including India, South America, Russia and China, visited the show. And they enjoyed a variety of business programs.
The 45th Korea Electronics Exhibition, which has been reborn as a venue for the festival with K-POP Idol group Dal Shabet and rock band performances was an exhibition of IT contents ranging from electronic parts & materials, equipment, wearable mobile devices, 3D printing, flexible devices and convergence products of medical devices, which offered an innovative sight of the entire tree of electronic & IT industry from roots to fruits. It also showed the potential of small and medium-sized companies by organizing a variety of categories such as 3D Convergence & 3D Printing Hall, Industrial Convergence Hall, and Luxury Household Electronics Hall.
About 470 companies from 20 countries participated in KES 2016 to showcase creative cooperation where industries of boundary was broken with electronics and IT technologies converging with other industries to present future lifestyles. The global auto brand Chevrolet participated in KES for the first time and unveiled a number of innovative technologies for electric vehicles and IT convergence including the pure electric vehicle Chevrolet Volt EV. "Smart Factory & Biz Expo" was held at the same time to achieve accompanied growth between big and small companies by supporting market development of small companies with network and infrastructure of big companies.
Many participants showcased core technologies of the fourth industrial revolution, including Artificial Intelligence, IoT, VR and AR, and the latest products and technologies of the electronics and IT industries such as automotive, IT convergence, semiconductors and displays. In particular, smart appliance, voice-recognition speakers and ultra-high definition 8K TVs with artificial intelligence technology received a lot of attention, and Mercedes-Benz participated in KES to introduce cutting edge automotive and IT convergence technologies.
More than 450 world electronics and IT companies participated and 62,000 visitors showed up on the 2019 Korea Electronics Show, which was held from October 8 to 11 to mark the 60th anniversary of the electronics industry and the 50th anniversary of the Korea Electronics Show. It has successfully completed a business festival to hold various events, including a 60th anniversary history hall where you can see the history of the electronic industry, a 60th anniversary history hall, a special KES innovation hall, and a keynote speech to share future strategies and visions in the era of the 4th industrial revolution.
Under the slogan ‘CONNECTED BEYOND ELECTRONICS’’, the 52nd KES held at COEX A and B Hall from October 26 to 29.
The show was co-located with 3 exhibitions. The “Inno FuTech" to support promising small and medium-sized enterprises suffering from overseas marketing due to COVID-19 to enter the global market, the first metaverse exhibition in Korea, "Metaverse Korea" was held simultaneously and the "Smart Biz Expo," which shows improvement in manufacturing competitiveness, focusing on smart factory construction companies that have received manufacturing know-how from large companies.
It supported the development of markets for participating companies through various co-events such as ESG Special Pavilion, KES Future Summit, VC Investment Attraction Consultation, Overseas Buyer Consultation, LIVE@KES, Live Commerce, and KES Awards. It ended successfully by experiencing the "connected" present and introducing the future with electronic IT such as mobility, digital health, and home&office that are changing to innovative technologies such as AI, IoT, big data, XR/VR, and metaverse.
“The 54th Korea Electronics Show (KES 2023)," held at COEX from October 24 to 27 under the slogan "N.E.X.T (Now Experience X(Transformation) of Technology)“. It showcased innovation and technology ecosystems connecting various countries, including US, Japan, Germany, China, and others. With the participation of 480 companies from 10 countries and featuring 1,200 booths, the event highlighted innovative technologies such as mobility, AI, IoT, big data, metaverse/Web 3.0 and ambient technologies that connect and communicate with users were also presented. Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of Consumer Technology Association, producer of CES®, visited to deliver the first presentation on CES 2024 Preview & Tech Trends, and a Fireside Chat on the competitiveness of Korean innovation and the importance of startups was conducted.The event featured a 'LEVEL-4' autonomous driving test, along with diplomatic programs for foreign missions. Additionally, there were VC investment consultations, domestic purchase consultations, and international buyer meetings, all aimed at supporting participating companies in expanding their business opportunities.
The 55th Korea Electronics Show (KES 2024), held from October 22 (Tue) to October 25 (Fri) at COEX Halls A, B, and D2, featured an expanded exhibition area of 22,023㎡, a 20% increase compared to the previous year. A total of 520 companies (1,300 booths) from 13 countries participated. With the theme "Hybrid AI, Shape Sustainability“, KES focused on future-oriented and innovative technologies. By reorganizing pavilions to reflect technological innovation and market demand, the event attracted global leaders and enhanced global innovation capacity. CES 2025 previews and tech trend presentations were delivered by the CTA. Global tech leaders, including the AI Research Institute of Seoul National University, LG, and KT provided the latest insights into AI technology and shared their visions for a sustainable future. Additionally, programs such as Welcome KES (gala dinner, docent tour) and TECH4GOOD, a Korea-France startup collaboration initiative, were held in connection with KES, further strengthening global networking and exchange.