KCCI launches summer forum with focus on upcoming APEC summit

Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won speaks during the opening ceremony of the KCCI Summer Forum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of KCCI

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) kicked off its annual Summer Forum, Wednesday, at the venue for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in October and November.

Departing from its usual location on Jeju Island, the nation’s largest business lobby group chose Gyeongju this year to highlight the significance of the APEC summit, which Korea hopes will draw leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The four-day forum has drawn more than 500 top business leaders. Alongside the leaders’ meeting, the APEC CEO Summit will also be held, an event that will be a “global showcase of the strength and potential of the Korean economy,” according to KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won.

The KCCI is the official host of the APEC CEO Summit, scheduled for Oct. 28.

“The APEC CEO Summit is the largest business event in the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together leaders from 21 member economies — representing 60 percent of global GDP — and over 1,700 global CEOs,” Chey said in his opening remarks. “While the APEC summit will mark a historic moment in the restoration of Korean democracy, the CEO summit will serve as a global showcase of the strength and potential of the Korean economy.”

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok delivers a keynote speech during the opening ceremony of the KCCI Summer Forum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of KCCI

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also attended the opening ceremony, delivering a keynote speech outlining the new administration’s policy direction. It marked his first official engagement with the business community since taking office earlier this month, underscoring what the KCCI described as the government’s commitment to public-private cooperation.

As part of the forum program, the KCCI will hold meetings and site visits with key members of the National Assembly’s special committee on APEC, including its chair, Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon of the main opposition People Power Party, and Rep. Chung Il-young of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. APEC promotional booths will also be set up during the event to raise awareness. Forum participants will have the opportunity to visit local restaurants and tourist attractions in Gyeongju, with their feedback to be incorporated into ongoing preparations for the APEC summit.

Building on last year’s success, this year’s forum will once again feature an “AI Talk Show,” with Chey participating in a session moderated by Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a. The discussion will focus on the integration of artificial intelligence in manufacturing, along with case studies of startups utilizing AI technologies, featuring insights from leading AI experts and entrepreneurs.