REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKGyeongju APEC summit delivers cultural win for Korea
People watch a media art show illuminating Cheomseongdae Observatory at the Daereungwon tomb complex in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday, as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events take place. Newsis
The successful Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, transformed the historic capital of Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) into a global diplomatic stage.
Over the last week, 21 APEC member economies gathered not only to discuss pressing economic matters, but to experience Korea’s powerful blend of ancient heritage and soft power, positioned now as a crucial asset in international diplomacy.
The APEC summit’s greatest asset was its setting. By holding the meeting in the city often called a living museum, instead of a modern capital, Korea showcased the depth and relevance of its heritage.
The city’s long history and cultural sites were not passive scenery, but instead served as a powerful language, communicating and promoting Korea’s core diplomatic message of harmony and tradition to the APEC members in attendance.
To better show how the country blended past and future, Gyeongju’s historical sites such as the Daereungwon royal tomb complex were used for spectacular media art shows, seamlessly merging 1,000-year-old heritage with digital technology. With foreign correspondents noting its fusion of Silla artistry and modern digital flair, Korea showcased its vision as a nation where tradition fuels innovation.
From the carefully planned cultural tours for the leaders’ spouses and family members to well-prepared meeting venues, the entire event illustrated Korea’s high standards and competence.
President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump as the U.S. leader receives a replica of a Silla-era gold crown as a gift during a welcoming ceremony at Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps
Heritage-inspired gifts
Korea used the APEC events as a platform to exhibit the full spectrum of its culture, presenting gifts that seamlessly linked the ancient heritage of Silla with the appeal of contemporary culture.
For U.S. President Donald Trump, President Lee Jae Myung presented a replica of a Silla gold crown, symbolizing the historical identity of Korea. Chinese President Xi Jinping received a go game board made with torreya wood and a najeonchilgi (traditional Korean mother-of-pearl lacquerware) tray, reflecting the shared East Asian tradition and highlighting the value of Korea-China exchanges.
A go board gifted to Chinese President Xi Jinping / Joint Press Corps
The selection of items consistently reinforced themes of peace and cultural prominence. All attendees received the traditional Korean wind instrument manpasikjeok, symbolizing hope for peace and harmony. This strategic gift-giving illustrated a comprehensive diplomatic approach that successfully merged the historical legacy of Gyeongju with the approachable and modern appeal of K-culture.
Friday’s official gala dinner, a critical test of soft diplomacy, was a major highlight, using the universal language of food to symbolize harmony and communicate complex diplomatic goals.
The menu deliberately highlighted local Gyeongju produce, featuring items like cheonnyeon hanwoo (Gyeongju’s premium beef) and local herbs in the bibimbap (rice bowl with various vegetables). The official banquet toast was raised with Horangi Saeng Yuja (citron) Makgeolli, a traditional Korean alcohol that secured first place in a contest conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in September to select drinks for the event.
President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping drink Horangi Saeng Yuja (citron) Makgeolli at the gala dinner for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting at Lahan Select Gyeongju hotel in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Yonhap
Perhaps the most thoughtful detail was the subtle inclusion of Korean fermented pastes called jang, which are increasingly gaining global attention since the sauce-making tradition was added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list last year.
Dishes showcased the complex balance of ganjang (soy sauce) and even included a dessert made with caramelized doenjang (fermented bean paste). This sophisticated move used Korean culinary philosophy, which values balance and sincerity, to represent the essential qualities needed for successful international cooperation among the APEC member economies.
The ultimate legacy of the summit in Gyeongju lies in its diplomatic outcomes. The Gyeongju Declaration achieved a significant feat by officially embedding cultural and creative industries as a key area for regional cooperation for the first time in APEC’s history.
This was a clear win for Korea, effectively formalizing its cultural assets, ranging from K-pop and K-drama to K-food and K-beauty, as legitimate economic drivers for the Asia-Pacific region.
Gyeongju successfully proved that a nation’s greatest strength is often found not in its gross domestic product, but in the richness of its past and the universal appeal of its contemporary culture. The summit not only discussed trade but also actively exchanged culture, and will ultimately be remembered for setting a higher standard for global diplomacy.