2024 International Ergonomics Association (IEA) Congress Held at Jeju International Convention Center
- Under the theme of “Better Life: Ergonomics for Future Humans,” the event will take place from August 25 to 29

▲ Opening Ceremony of the 2024 International Ergonomics Association (IEA) Congress

The Ergonomics Society of Korea (President: Professor Sang-Ho Kim of Kumoh National Institute of Technology), in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, the Institute of Industrial Systems Innovation at Seoul National University, and LG Electronics, announced that the 2024 International Ergonomics Association (IEA) Congress will be held at Jeju International Convention Center (ICC Jeju) for five days from August 25 to 29.

Introduction to the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)
Founded in 1959, the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) is the leading global organization in the field of ergonomics. The IEA holds an international congress every three years, bringing together experts from around the world to present their latest research and innovations. The 2024 congress will feature presentations from global ergonomics experts, with participation from over 20 international companies and organizations, including LG Electronics, the main sponsor. The event will showcase the latest trends in ergonomics and user-centered design (UI/UX). Often referred to as the “Olympics of Ergonomics,” the IEA Congress is the premier event in this field, and this year's congress in Jeju marks only the second time it has been hosted in Korea, following the 2003 event in Seoul.

What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is an applied science focused on the design of products, systems, and environments that take into account human physical, cognitive, emotional, and socio-cultural characteristics to enhance comfort, efficiency, safety, and satisfaction. The goal of ergonomics is to improve the interaction between humans and systems, ultimately maximizing productivity and user satisfaction.

About the 2024 IEA Congress
The IEA 2024 Congress is themed “Better Life: Ergonomics for Future Humans,” focusing on how ergonomics can enhance human life in the future. The event will gather over 1,500 ergonomics experts from 140 countries and will be the first in-person IEA congress in six years, following the 2018 Florence Congress. This event is a significant opportunity for the global ergonomics community to meet face-to-face after a long hiatus.

The congress will be chaired by the Korean Minister of Employment and Labor, and will cover topics such as industrial safety, user experience, and workplace improvements through the lens of ergonomics. Additionally, the congress will host the ISO Technical Committee 159 (ISO/TC 159) on ergonomics, where advancements in ergonomics standardization will be discussed. The event will also feature the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Human Systems Integration (HSI) Conference.

Professor Myung Hwan Yun from the Department of Industrial Engineering at Seoul National University, who serves as the Chair of the IEA 2024 Organizing Committee, remarked, “The IEA 2024 Congress, often dubbed the Olympics of Ergonomics, will explore not only traditional ergonomics and user-centered design (UI/UX) but also emerging topics such as human-AI interaction, which is crucial for the future of humanity. We expect this event to highlight Korea’s strengths in ergonomics and promote 'K-Ergonomics' on the global stage.”

Professor Yun added, “This congress will mark a turning point for ergonomics, shifting its focus from simply solving current challenges to designing a better future for humanity.”

What is the International Ergonomics Association?
The Ergonomics Society of Korea is currently hosting the IEA 2024 International Congress, often referred to as the Olympics of Ergonomics. The IEA Congress takes place every three years, and Korea is the only Asian country to have hosted the event twice. Only seven advanced countries have done so, affirming Korea’s G7-level status in the field of ergonomics.

[Contact Information]
Professor Myung Hwan Yun, Department of Industrial Engineering, Seoul National University / +82-2-880-1403 / mhy@snu.ac.kr