2026 Workshop on Topological Combinatorics 

Overview

The 2026 Workshop on Topological Combinatorics will be held from June 28 to July 11, 2026 at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), located in Gwangju in the southwest of Republic of Korea. 

The workshop aims to bring together researchers interested in applications of topology to combinatorics and related areas. This will be the fifth workshop in a series initiated by Ron Aharoni (August 2018 in Shantou, July 2019 in Prague, July 2020 on Zoom, and June 2024 in Paris).

The first week (June 28 - July 04) will be reserved for presentations, while the following days (July 05 - July 11) will be for discussion and collaborations. 

The campus offers a variety of amenities, including a guesthouse that can accommodate approximately 20 guests.

In addition, various lodging options are available within a 15–20 minute walking distance.

We are planning to provide accommodation for all invited participants, and we are also considering offering partial travel support for those with limited funding.

Registration: please send an email to minkikim@gist.ac.kr 

Organized by Andreas Holmsen (andreash@kaist.edu, KAIST & IBS), Jinha Kim (jinhakim@jnu.ac.kr, CNU & IBS), and Minki Kim (minkikim@gist.ac.kr, GIST) 

Supported by GIST, IBS DIMAG, and the NRF of Republic of Korea.

IMPORTANT NOTICE for foreign participants

Foreign visitors entering South Korea without a visa must obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) to board your flight to South Korea at least 72 hours (earlier application is highly recommended as the screening process may take longer) before departure unless you are from a K-ETA exempt country or already hold a valid Korean visa.

• Please check the official website of the Korea Travel Authorization System (www.k-eta.go.kr) or the website of the Korean Embassy in your country to determine whether a Korean Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is required based on your nationality.

• Note: If you hold a temporary or emergency passport, you have to ask if it is okay at a Korean embassy/consulate.

• You can apply for the K-ETA from the official website of Korea Travel Authorization System:

https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/newapply/index.do?locale=EN 

• The following link is also useful: https://www.tictivity.com/en/blog/k-eta-guide

• The 22 countries and territories on the current exemption list are: 

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (including Guam).

If you hold one of these passports and you are visiting for tourism or short-term business of up to 90 days, you do not have to apply for K-ETA — entry is still allowed under the visa-waiver rules.

Please double check with the Korean embassy/consolute in your country.

[Accommodation]

(Korean)

호텔명: 첨단호텔

주소: 광주광역시 광산구 첨단중앙로152번길 47 (쌍암동)

(English)

Name of the Hotel: Cheomdan Hotel

Address: 47, Cheomdanjungang-ro 152beon-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju

[Transportation from Incheon Airport to Gwangju] link by Incheon Airport

Please note that there are two different cities named 'Gwangju' in Korea: Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province and Gwangju in Jeolla Province. Since GIST is located in Gwangju, Jeolla Province, please double-check your destination when traveling from the airport to avoid any confusion. 

1. By Airport Limousine Bus

- Route: Direct bus from the airport to Gwangju (U-Square Bus Terminal)

- Duration: Approximately 4.5~5 hours

- Fare: About 40,000KRW

- How to use:

Tickets can be purchased at the transportation center. (1st floor of the passenger terminal)

Look for “Airport Limousine Bus” signs or ask at the information desk.

Buses depart several times per day. (Timetable can be found here)

- Arrival in Gwangju:

The bus arrives at Gwangju U-Square Bus terminal.

From there, you can take a taxi to GIST or to the hotel, and it will take approximately 20~25 minutes (fare: within 15,000KRW).

2. By KTX (High-speed train)

- Route: Incheon International Airport -> AREX(Airport Railroad Express) to Seoul Station -> KTX to Gwangju-Songjeong Station

- Duration: Approximately 4.5~5 hours in total (1 hour by AREX +2.5 hours by KTX + transfer time)

- Fare: About 55,000~60,000KRW in total

- How to use:

Take the AREX from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station

At Seoul Station, transfer to the KTX bound for Gwangju-Songjeong Station

Train tickets can be purchased online in advance (KORAIL website/app) or at the station.

- Arrival in Gwangju:

From Gwangju-Songjeong Station, you can take a taxi to GIST or to the hotel, and it will take approximately 25~30 minutes (fare: within 20,000KRW).

The following link might be useful: https://www.tictivity.com/en/blog/k-eta-guide