Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, will host next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Shown are attendees at the provincial government’s office on June 27 taking a group photo after the announcement of the city’s designation. (Gyeongju City Hall)
By Hong Angie
Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, has been selected to host next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.
Launched in 1993, this annual conference was last held in Korea in 2005 in Busan. Next year’s edition will be the largest global event that the country will host since the launch of the Yoon administration.
The Korea APEC 2025 Organizing Committe on June 27 in its second meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul chose Gyeongju as the host city.
The governments of both the city and its province pledged to use the summit as an opportunity to boost the nation’s status and upgrade Gyeongju’s international city brand as the country’s most Korean city.
To ensure a successful hosting, plans include expansion and renovation of major facilities, launch of preparatory work like starting an APEC support and organizing group, and development of action plans by sector.
The facilities and interior of the conference hall at Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) of Bomun Tourist Complex, where the summit will be held, will receive upgrades. The entrance road leading to the complex and surrounding environment will also get an overhaul.
In addition, service facilities that will host summit luncheons, dinners and cultural events will undergo renovation and transportation service infrastucture will be expanded.
Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju will cooperate with related organizations such as Gyeongbuk Development Institute, Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization, and HICO to conduct aggressive marketing at home and abroad to raise the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions industry and attract more foreign tourists.
Businesses and corporations in the Daegu-Gyeongsangbuk-do region also agreed to cooperate for a successful hosting of the summit.
The chambers of commerce and industry of Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency’s support group and Korea International Trade Association’s headquarters for both regions, and Gyeongsangbuk-do Export Enterprises Association will jointly promote outstanding specialized industries in the two regions to stimulate trade and investment.
Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju anticipate that the summit will have an economic-generating effect of over KRW 1.8 trillion nationwide.
“Gyeongju has provided a new driver to take a global leap forward,” Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young said. “This astounding achievement is thanks to the enthusiastic support of Gyeongju’s 250,000 residents, Gyeongsangbuk-do’s 2.6 million people and all members of the public who love Gyeongju.”
Launched in November 1989 in Canberra, Australia, the APEC Summit started off as an ministerial-level dialogue among 12 countries. Its membership has since expanded to 21 states in the Asia-Pacific region including Korea, the U.S., Japan, China and Russia whose economies account for some 60% of the world’s GDP and 50% of trade.
The summit’s 32nd edition in Gyeongju will be held in November next year.
shong9412@korea.kr
