GYEONGJU (South Korea), Sept. 9 – South Korea’s ancient city of Gyeongju is ramping up preparations to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum next year, leveraging soft power to make the global event a success.
Gyeongju, known as the “cradle of history, nexus for the future”, had won the bid to host APEC 2025 on June 27, beating contenders Jeju Island and Incheon.
APEC 2025 will mark the third time South Korea has hosted the forum, with the first in Seoul in 1991 and the second in Busan in 2005.
Director of Public Relations of Gyeongju City, Son Dea Ki, said Gyeongju aims to play a significant role in deepening constructive dialogues and regional cooperation among APEC members for mutual economic prosperity and multilateral cohesion in the Asia Pacific region.
“APEC 2025 will reinforce the country’s growing role as a key global leader not just in cultural conservation and future industries, but also in promoting peaceful coexistence, security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” he told Bernama after a roundtable session with a group of seven visiting foreign journalists on the city’s preparations to host APEC 2025.
Besides discussion, the journalists from Malaysia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Argentina, El Salvador, Paraguay and Peru were also given a tour of APEC 2025 venues including the main venue, Hwabaek International Convention Centre (HICO), and Hwangnyongwon centre.
With 14 months to go before the scheduled APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) takes place in Nov 2025, promotional campaigns for the event are visibly underway. Marketing materials such as banners and posters can been seen decorating the city’s streets and buildings.
