Hanwha to light up Gyeongju night sky with fireworks, drones

An illustraion of the fireworks and drone light show that Hanwha Group will stage during the gala dinner for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting / Courtesy of Hanwha Group

Hanwha Group has pledged full support for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting set for later this month in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

The conglomerate said Tuesday it will stage a fireworks and drone light show during the gala dinner for summit participants on Oct. 31. It plans to launch 50,000 fireworks and illuminate the Gyeongju night sky with 2,000 drones, while also funding safety and environmental management for the event.

Hanwha Group previously staged fireworks displays at major international events in Korea, including the 1986 Asian Games, 1988 Summer Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, APEC South Korea 2005 and 2018 Winter Olympics.

“In addition to fireworks, this performance will feature aerial and waterborne drones powered by information and communication technology and media art,” a Hanwha Group official said.

“We aim to portray Korea as a cultural powerhouse inheriting a thousand years of tradition from Silla (an ancient Korean kingdom that set up its capital in Gyeongju) and moving boldly toward the future.”

Hanwha Group will also host the defense session of the Future Tech Forum on Oct. 27, held alongside the APEC CEO Summit, a gathering that brings together global business leaders and government officials. The company serves as a Diamond Sponsor, the highest tier among official sponsors.

The group's three defense affiliates — Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean — plan to showcase their technologies to military personnel and defense industry insiders during the session held at Gyeongju National Museum.

According to Hanwha Group, forum participants will explore the defense industry's role and cooperative strategies for sustainable peace, and discuss future technological developments in response to a changing global battlefield.

During the APEC CEO Summit, an official from Hanwha Solutions' Qcells Division will deliver remarks at the session titled “Business Strategies Leveraging Green Energy for Sustainable Growth.”

In partnership with Microsoft, the company will introduce energy optimization technology utilizing agentic artificial intelligence operations and data standardization.

Additionally, Hanwha Group has incorporated the APEC partnership logo into its own advertisements to raise awareness of the summit.

The ads will be broadcast on screens at Seoul Station, Gyeongju Station and Gimhae International Airport, as well as in KTX trains and at summit venues. Kiosks will also be set up at Gyeongju Arts Center, the APEC CEO Summit venue, to introduce the group's vision and technology to participants.