Considering customer and employee safety amid the spread of the novel coronavirus
The scheduled meeting with global mobile operators will proceed separately.

LG Electronics announced that it will not participate in MWC 2020, a mobile exhibition to be held in Barcelona, Spain from the 24th to the 27th, in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus.
LG Electronics stated on February 5, “We have decided to cancel our participation in MWC 2020 to prioritize the safety of our customers and employees amidst the recent spread of the novel coronavirus,” adding, “We plan to hold a new product launch event at a later date after monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus and assessing safety.”

He added, “Although we will not be attending MWC 2020, we plan to proceed separately with pre-arranged meetings with global mobile operators.”

MWC is considered one of the world's top three IT exhibitions along with CES and IFA, and LG Electronics has been participating since 2003. The decision to cancel participation just two weeks before the exhibition to unveil a new strategic smartphone demonstrates the severity of the novel coronavirus situation.

However, the industry reaction is that the scheduled event is highly likely to be held, as one of the biggest sponsors of this MWC is China's Huawei and about 30,000 to 40,000 Chinese visitors are expected to attend.

The Global Mobile Association (GSMA), which hosts MWC, stated on the 4th, “So far, there has been no significant impact on MWC Barcelona registration, so the exhibition will proceed as scheduled,” adding, “We will take active measures to prevent the spread of the virus.”

LG Electronics is the first domestic company to cancel its participation in the exhibition. Domestic companies preparing to participate include SK Telecom, KT, Samsung Electronics, and Kia Motors.