South Korea Gears Up For APEC 2025

By Voon Miaw Ping

GYEONGJU (South Korea), Sept. 9 (Bernama) -- South Korea’s ancient city of Gyeongju is ramping up preparations to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum next year, leveraging soft power to make the global event a success.

Gyeongju, known as the “cradle of history, nexus for the future”, had won the bid to host APEC 2025 on June 27, beating contenders Jeju Island and Incheon.

APEC 2025 will mark the third time South Korea has hosted the forum, with the first in Seoul in 1991 and the second in Busan in 2005.

Director of Public Relations of Gyeongju City, Son Dea Ki, said Gyeongju aims to play a significant role in deepening constructive dialogues and regional cooperation among APEC members for mutual economic prosperity and multilateral cohesion in the Asia Pacific region.

“APEC 2025 will reinforce the country’s growing role as a key global leader not just in cultural conservation and future industries, but also in promoting peaceful coexistence, security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” he told Bernama after a roundtable session with a group of seven visiting foreign journalists on the city’s preparations to host APEC 2025.

Besides discussion, the journalists from Malaysia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Argentina, El Salvador, Paraguay and Peru were also given a tour of APEC 2025 venues including  the main venue, Hwabaek International Convention Centre (HICO), and Hwangnyongwon centre.

With 14 months to go before the scheduled APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) takes place in Nov 2025, promotional campaigns for the event are visibly underway. Marketing materials such as banners and posters can been seen decorating the city’s streets and buildings.

In public parks, public service announcements about the city hosting APEC 2025 are aired, calling on residents to offer support, while private businesses including eateries are also galvanised to promote the event extensively.

“Right after the announcement that Gyeongju is selected as the host city, we immediately mobilise all our resources for full preparations of APEC 2025, including upgrading of major facilities and ensure seamless infrastructure connectivity,” said Lim Wang Tack, team leader for planning and coordination of the APEC Preparatory Committee.

The plan includes organising related programmes and events leading to the AELM in 2025, he said.

Gyeongju will hold 21-nation traditional culture academic conferences and 14 other projects, including the Korea APEC International Forum.

Major Korean companies – like Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), SK, and Samsung – will host the international industry expo, featuring AI, ICT, and future industries.

Besides being renowned for its rich cultural and historical heritage, Gyeongju, located 275 kilometres southeast of Seoul, is also an important hub of advanced industries and economic development in South Korea, notably in nuclear energy, automotive parts and manufacturing.

“We hope that through APEC 2025, it will be a good platform for us to share South Korea’s economic development experiences and future strategies, and to attract more investments into this region” he said.

Lim also said that APEC 2025 will be an opportunity for South Korea to showcase its dynamic Korean culture, popularly known as K-Wave or Hallyu, to the APEC leaders and the world, as well as promoting Gyeongju as top global tourism destination.

According to the organiser, the AELM 2025 is expected to facilitate important discussions aimed at realising the core future values of the Putrajaya Vision 2040. 

Concrete action plans focusing on trade, investment, innovation, inclusive growth and sustainability are expected to be developed, enabling APEC member economies to pursue economic prosperity in the Asia Pacific region through close cooperation.

More than 20,000 leaders and delegates are expected to participate in APEC 2025 while it is also expected to generate economic impact of over KRW1.8 trillion (about US$1.3 billion) nationwide.

Formed in 1989, APEC currently consist of 21 members. Malaysia and South Korea are among the 12 of its founding members, along with Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico and Papua New Guinea joined in 1993. Chile acceded in 1994, followed by Peru, Russia and Vietnam in 1998.

APEC, with a combined population of about 3 billion people, made up 62 per cent of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 48 per cent of world trade in 2021.

South Korea is set to take over as APEC host from Peru this November.

-- BERNAMA