Gyeongju to offer halal cuisine during APEC summit

Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young, left, and North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, second from left, inspect a halal restaurant in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of Gyeongju city government

Gyeongju, the host city for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, will provide halal cuisine during the event to accommodate Muslim visitors.

According to city officials on Sunday, a restaurant named Hi Asia will operate a Gyeongju branch for the weeklong 2025 APEC summit schedule, scheduled to run from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, within the Bomun Tourism Complex.

The establishment will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in a buffet format, adhering strictly to halal standards, city officials said.

Halal refers to food prepared according to Islamic guidelines governing slaughter, processing and cooking methods to ensure it meets the dietary requirements of Muslims.

The initiative reflects the city’s efforts to promote inclusivity and hospitality as it prepares to welcome international guests from all over the world.

“We will make thorough preparations to make sure that delegates and visitors from various cultural backgrounds attending the APEC summit can enjoy their meals comfortably,” Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young said.