Anchor: Some five-thousand mathematicians from around the world have gathered in Seoul for the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM). During the opening ceremony Wednesday morning, the prestigious Fields Medal was awarded to a female mathematician for the first time in the event's history. 
Our Kim Soyon has more on the Seoul ICM 2014. 
 
Report: The 2014 International Congress of Mathematicians, the world's largest congress in the mathematics community, opened at COEX in southern Seoul on Wednesday for a nine-day run.
 
Math scholars from around the world gather once every four years to discuss advancements in the world of mathematics.  
 
During the congress, participants will come forward with the most baffling math questions that may take decades to solve.
 
President Park Geun-hye attended the opening ceremony of the congress and awarded four recipients the Fields Medal, known as the Nobel Price of mathematics.  
 
Iranian-born Stanford University Professor Maryam Mirzakhani was among the four to receive the Fields Medal, becoming the first female recipient of the honor.
 
In a congratulatory speech, President Park said in today’s era of innovation, one person’s creative idea could move the entire world. She said logical thinking and creative skills learned through math are essential elements for the future.  
 
Some five-thousand mathematicians from around 120 countries are taking part in the congress, making it the largest ICM ever held. 
 
Various events will take place on the sidelines for the general public to experience the world of math in engaging ways, such as through art or the board game of Go, called "baduk" in Korean.
 
Congress organizers also noted that as some 190 mathematicians are visiting from Africa, extra precautions are being made against the Ebola epidemic with heat detectors at all entrances of the congress venue.

The congress will continue through August 21. 
Kim Soyon, KBS World Radio News.