With 100 days left, Korea ramps up preparations for APEC

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, center, chairs a meeting on APEC summit preparations at Government Complex Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

With 100 days until the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok urged officials to make the global event not only a forum for regional dialogue but also a strategic platform to elevate Korea’s economic, diplomatic and cultural presence on the world stage.

This year’s APEC summit, hosted by South Korea, will take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 in the southeastern city. President Lee Jae Myung formally sent invitation letters to leaders of the 20 APEC member economies earlier this month.

Kim underscored the event’s historic significance, likening its potential impact to that of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which reshaped Korea’s global image.

"The APEC summit will be a seed of hope, showcasing the strengths of Korean democracy and cultural sophistication to the world,” Kim said during a high-level meeting on APEC preparations in Seoul Wednesday.

He emphasized the importance of weaving Korea’s unique cultural heritage throughout the summit program. Kim called for meticulous planning of official banquets and cultural events to showcase these themes, envisioning an “unprecedented and historically resonant K-APEC.”

Kim also highlighted the relevance of the summit’s theme, focused on artificial intelligence and digital connection in aging societies, and resonance with Gyeongju’s legacy as a cradle of Korean civilization. The theme, he stressed, should both guide summit discussions and reinforce Korea’s national identity.

“The core values that connect APEC’s agenda with Korea’s identity must be consistently emphasized as defining symbols of K-APEC,” he noted.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, second from left, inspects a hotel room at the Gyeongju Bomun Complex International Conference District in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, July 15. Courtesy of Prime Minister's Office

At the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined the current status of infrastructure development, including accommodations, as well as the planning of various programs involving world leaders. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina stated that all program details would be finalized by August, with infrastructure fully completed by September. She added that a final inspection and rehearsals in October would ensure that Korea is fully prepared to host global leaders.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the lead private-sector organizer of APEC’s economic events including the APEC CEO Summit and APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meetings, highlighted ongoing efforts to invite top global firms in sectors such as Big Tech, AI, semiconductors and finance. The chamber also projected that the events could generate up to 7.4 trillion won ($5.3 billion) in economic impact, pledging to do its utmost to realize this potential.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the central government, local authorities and business sectors are cooperating to mobilize all available resources, particularly in preparation for key infrastructure, including the main venue, accommodations and transportation.

G-Dragon / Courtesy of Galaxy Corporation

Meanwhile, the prime minister announced K-pop artist G-Dragon has been appointed an honorary ambassador for the summit.

In the post on his social media account, Kim described G-Dragon as “a leading Korean artist who continues to demonstrate creativity and innovation, even transmitting his music into space.”

The prime minister wrote, “With 100 days to go until the summit, I invite everyone to watch the synergy between G-Dragon and the APEC summit unfold.”