The 17th World Knowledge Forum (WKF), the largest business forum in Asia, will open on October 11 at The Shilla hotel in central Seoul, inviting about 250 speakers from all over the world to share their insights on various issues facing the global society today.

Under the theme of “Aiming for Great Instauration,” the annual three-day forum hosted by South Korea’s largest business media Maekyung Media Group will offer audiences seven sub-themes or “tracks” and about 90 related sessions. The WKF secretariat expects more than 3,000 audiences from both home and abroad to attend the forum.

Speakers for the 17th WKF are worthy of notice. David Rubenstein, co-founder of world’s largest private equity fund The Carlyle Group, has confirmed his attendance at the forum. Dick Cheney, former vice president of the United States, and Wendy Sherman, former undersecretary of state for political affairs, will also give a speech on the upcoming U.S. presidential election and the country’s leadership. Other speakers include Harvard University Professor Robert Barro and Stanford University Professor John Taylor who will share their insights on the global economy, as well as Pedro Domingos, professor at the University of Washington and author of The Master Algorithm, a best-seller on artificial intelligence. Information on other speakers can be found at WKF’s web site: http://www.wkforum.org/

Other key speakers of the upcoming forum including the keynote speaker will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

Since its inception in 2000, the WKF has invited various world renowned figures including World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, former President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, Paris School of Economics (PSE) Professor Thomas Piketty, Harvard University Professor Lawrence Summers, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, former head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency Meir Dagan, Microsoft Corporation founder Bill Gates, Princeton University Professor Paul Krugman, and Harvard University Professor Greg Mankiw.

Foreigners living outside of Korea who wish to attend the 17th WKF should register through the website, http://www.wkforum.org/

For the first time this year, those residing in other countries will get a discount for attending the event if they are readers of Pulse, Maeil Business Newspaper’s English news web site. They will need to pay only $2,000 for participating fees for the three-day forum, cheaper than the original fee.

Non-Korean students living in foreign countries will be able to attend the forum at $1,000 by submitting a valid ID upon request via e-mail (wkf_reg@mk.co.kr) or telephone(82-2-2000-2621).

To receive the special discount benefit as Pulse readers, they should first visit the WKF web site and find “I have found the World Knowledge Forum via” section at the very bottom of the WKF Registration page. They should then click “others” and write in "Pulse". They will be required to submit one of the following documents proving that they are a non-Korean and do not reside in Korea - e-ticket, passport copy, or proof of employment among others - and send via e-mail (wkf_reg@mk.co.kr) or fax (82-2-2000-2419).

Audiences will be provided with WKF information kit as well as lunch for three days and dinner only on the second day of the forum. Entry fee do not cover accommodation or transportation costs. Those that have applied but wish to cancel their participation may do so before September 26. They will be able to receive a refund after the forum ends. But they have to pay for refund fees on cancellation. For detailed information, please contact the Registration Office via e-mail, wkf_reg@mk.co.kr.

By Lee Yu-sup

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]