The nation's capital will host the 12th International Congress on Mathematical Education in 2012.

The executive committee of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction announced the decision Friday.

Seoul City expects the international congress, the largest mathematical symposium in the world, to draw some four thousand foreign visitors. Attendees would comprise mainly mathematics educators from around the world.

The 2012 event is also expected to help the city host the 2014 International Congress of Mathematicians.

South Korea will be the second Asian country to host the congress after Japan in 2000.