The Korea International Trade Association said Tuesday that the COEX mall would undergo a large-scale renovation by November 2014, the first since it was established in 2000.

Under the new plan, the largest underground shopping mall in Asia is expected to be expanded by 10 percent and have more environmentally friendly, energy-efficient features to reduce energy consumption by 25 percent.

Adding to the current 182,675-square-meter mall, the KITA plans to develop a 6,600-square-meter underground area that has yet to be used. The economic benefits are estimated to be worth more than 150 billion won, according to sources.

The nation’s first convention center affiliated with the COEX complex was built in 1988 prior to the Seoul Olympics and the shopping mall and the multiplex movie theater were completed later in May 2000.

KITA officials said citizens would still have free access to the mall during the work.

(joowonc@heraldcorp.com)