The South Korean government has selected Seoul as the venue for the Group of 20 summit meeting in 2010, government officials said Friday.

"The government has tentatively decided to hold the G20 summit in Seoul," said an official at the presidential office, adding that the details will be announced on Monday.

Seoul has been competing with other municipalities, such as Busan, Incheon and Jeju, to host the international meeting to be held in November 2010.

Seoul has earned the highest marks in terms of transportation and accommodation, which were found to be the most critical factors in reaching the decision, according to the official.

Security was also heavily taken into account, considering the planned visit of as many as 30 heads of state and their attendants reaching about 10,000, the official said.

The South Korean government, however, will seek to hold minister- and vice-minister level preparatory meetings in cities other than Seoul, the official added.

The official also said the G20 Summit Korea Coordinating Committee, which is to be launched in mid November, will be chaired by Sakong Il, chief of the Korea International Trade Association.

During the last G20 summit held in Pittsburgh, attendants agreed to meet again next year in Canada in June and in South Korea in November.

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