LG Electronics Cancels MWC Participation... Direct Hit from 'Domino No-Shows' (Comprehensive)

LG Electronics, First Domestic Company to Cancel Participation
SKT and ZTE Also Skip Media Briefings
Kia Motors Contemplates Attendance
Mobile Festival Attracting 100,000... Domino Effect of No-Shows Feared

[Asia Economy reporters Han Jinju and Kim Jihui] LG Electronics has abruptly canceled its participation in the world's largest mobile exhibition, Mobile World Congress (MWC2020). This measure was taken in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). Kia Motors, attending MWC for the first time this year, is also deeply considering whether to participate. With MWC directly hit by the novel coronavirus, it is no longer possible to rule out the possibility that this large-scale event, which attracts over 100,000 attendees worldwide, will end with a 'domino effect' of withdrawals.

On the 5th, LG Electronics announced the cancellation of its participation in MWC2020. Initially, they planned a major offensive by unveiling their ambitious new products this year, such as the LG V60 ThinQ and LG G9 ThinQ, for the first time. However, they gave up the schedule out of concern for the safety of employees and visitors. Nevertheless, meetings with global mobile carriers will continue, and depending on the trend of the novel coronavirus spread, a new product launch event will be held later. An LG Electronics official explained, "Although there are losses due to contract cancellations, we made this decision based on the judgment that safety is more important than anything else."

SK Telecom also canceled the planned press conference with President Park Jung-ho and decided to operate only the MWC exhibition booth. Business meetings with overseas companies on-site will proceed as scheduled, but the number of on-site personnel will be minimized. LG Uplus also canceled the press conference planned by Vice Chairman Ha Hyun-hoe at MWC. Chinese company ZTE, which was to unveil a flagship 5G smartphone, also canceled its media briefing. Kia Motors, participating in MWC for the first time this year, will make a final decision on participation by next week.

The reason MWC was directly hit by the novel coronavirus is due to the China risk. Last year, among the companies attending MWC, Chinese companies accounted for 30%, and Huawei was the main sponsor, showing China's significant influence. Of the total 100,000 visitors, 30,000 were reported to be Chinese. To make matters worse, as confirmed cases rapidly increase in Europe, the possibility of a large-scale infection outbreak at the event cannot be ruled out. An industry insider said, "By the end of February, the number of novel coronavirus infections will be much higher than now, and even with enhanced disinfection, many devices at smartphone exhibition booths require physical contact, making it difficult to proceed as originally planned."

The organizer, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), is urging attendees not to shake hands and is striving to prepare countermeasures such as placing disinfection equipment and cleaning tools throughout the venue. GSMA stated, "We will continuously remind attendees of hygiene-related recommendations such as no handshakes," and added, "We will encourage attendees to wear masks and ensure that microphones are disinfected when passed between speakers, complying with the restrictions set by the World Health Organization (WHO)."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.