South Korea’s historic city of Gyeongju is turning up the heat ahead of the 2025 APEC Summit, aiming to transform the event into a global showcase for technology, culture, and business. Officials say the summit could serve as both a diplomatic milestone and a catalyst for regional economic growth.
Preparations are in full swing. Key venues—including the summit hall, international media center, and banquet site—are scheduled for completion by month-end, with full-scale rehearsals planned before world leaders arrive. The Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) is being transformed into a high-tech, paperless meeting hub, while the media center will feature Wi-Fi 7, signaling South Korea’s leadership in digital infrastructure.
Cultural programming is designed to impress international delegates and investors alike. The Gyeongju National Museum banquet hall will feature K-pop performances, multimedia art installations, and traditional heritage displays. Highlights include a hanbok fashion show, a light-and-music spectacle at Bomun Lake, and a K-pop concert, alongside performances from 17 regions nationwide—an ambitious push officials hope will spark a “second Korean Wave” and spotlight Gyeongju on the global stage.
Economic and industrial showcases are just as bold. A 75%-completed exhibition space will house five themed halls, including an industrial history pavilion and a future industries pavilion. Twenty-six local companies and four major conglomerates will present cutting-edge products through the “K-Tech Showcase,” while investment forums, partnership meetings, and B2B sessions aim to generate concrete deals. The $286 million project is jointly funded by central and local governments.
Infrastructure upgrades are underway to meet international standards. Renovations at 35 summit-class hotels are near completion, while transport enhancements include expanded KTX rail service, additional domestic flights, shuttles from Gimhae Airport and Gyeongju Station, and comprehensive traffic management plans.
Safety and medical readiness are also a focus. Twenty-four partner hospitals are preparing emergency systems, supplemented by expanded facilities at Kyungpook National University Hospital and Dongguk University Gyeongju Hospital. On-site clinics, 50 ambulances, and five medical helicopters will ensure attendees’ safety.
Officials describe the summit as more than a logistics exercise. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to elevate South Korea’s global profile and lay the groundwork for long-term industrial transformation in Gyeongju,” one organizer said. For investors, tech innovators, and global businesses, the 2025 APEC Summit promises to be a front-row view of Korea’s evolving economic and cultural landscape.
