The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards said Monday that it has won the bid to host the 2018 general meeting of the International Electrotechnical Commission to Korea. The decision was made at the 2012 IEC general meeting, which was held in Oslo, Norway, between Oct. 1-5.

The IEC, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is a world-leading non-profit organization that prepares and publishes international standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies. The general meeting convenes the supreme body of the IEC.

About 82 countries are expected to take part in the 2018 IEC general meeting in Korea and to discuss international technology standards in electrical and electronic sectors, said the agency, which acts under the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.

Korea has increased its influence in the IEC as an information and technology powerhouse. It has three members in key IEC sub-committees: the Council Board, Standardization Management Board and Conformity Assessment Board.

(jyseo@heraldcorp.com)