Unlike Western interpreters who tend to work from numerous languages into their mother tongue, most Korean interpreters work from only one foreign language. It is therefore crucial that the quality of conference interpretation be maintained. This paper will use actual examples to highlight the correlation between the quality of conference interpretation and language combination. 1) Language combination will be defined, followed by an explanation of the mechanisms involved in a multilingual conference. 2) The residence of the interpreter and its impact on the cost and quality of conference interpretation will be explained. 3) The experience of an interpreter in a given area is also an element that must be taken into consideration. 4) The duration of the interpretation is also important because interpreters must not interpret 'solo' for more than 40 minutes. The second section looks at the essence of conference interpretation: it is a highly specialized profession; it requires comprehensive know- how; and it is highly stressful and fatigue-inducing. The last section reviews the current market situation, that is, the distribution between languages and number of interpreters.
