The biggest integrated Korean pavilion at CES, the world's largest expo for consumer electronics and information and communications technology, will debut at this year's event scheduled from Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Hyelin

CES, the world's biggest expo for consumer electronics and information and communications technology, will see the largest integrated Korean pavilion in the trade fair's history.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups on Dec. 30 said it will run the K-Startup Pavilion at this year's event from Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas.

According to the U.S.-based Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which hosts CES, the latest edition will feature some 4,500 companies from about 160 countries, more than last year, including about 800 from Korea including leading corporations and startups.

Located at Eureka Park, a venue exclusively for startups at the expo, the pavilion will be the largest integrated area for Korea in CES history. The ministry will also support display booths for 127 startups along with 30 related support organizations including public institutions, local governments, universities and major companies.

Korea's top steelmaker POSCO will also help manage the pavilion and a support program for participating entities, as well as run a POSCO booth to invest in and foster venture companies.

In addition, 162 domestic companies are among the 363 winners of CES Innovation Awards in 33 categories. Among the honorees are 124 small and medium companies (76.5%), of which 119 are venture companies and startups.

Minister of SMEs and Startups Oh Youngju said, "The ministry will use the CES to promote K-startup brands to the world and actively support our innovative companies to display their excellent technical prowess on the global market and find new business opportunities."

kimhyelin211@korea.kr