October 2025
Korea will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled to take place in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, at the end of October.
Writer. Kim Da Un
APEC is a regional economic forum comprising 21 member economies working toward shared growth and prosperity. Korea, serving as the 2025 chair, is actively preparing for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) scheduled for Oct. 31. Ahead of the Leaders’ Meeting, a series of gatherings, including Ministerial Meetings and the CEO Summit, will take place throughout October in Gyeongju, Incheon and Busan. During APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, the Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting will be held from Oct. 27 to 28, followed by the APEC Ministerial Meeting from Oct. 29 to 30.
With the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting approaching, efforts to actively promote this year’s event are gaining momentum. As part of these efforts, renowned K-pop artist G-DRAGON has been appointed as an APEC promotional ambassador and is expected to take part in activities to communicate the core messages of the 2025 APEC to audiences worldwide, drawing significant global attention.
At the same time, APEC’s official promotional video has been released on platforms such as YouTube. The video—directed by Shin Wooseok of the creative studio Dolphiners Films, known for its distinctive concepts—follows the journey of a butterfly through Gyeongju’s historic and cultural landmarks, including the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Woljeonggyo Bridge and a roof-end tile with a human face, well known as “The Smile of Silla,” before flowing into the dynamic current of K-culture. It culminates in an innovative vision of the future crafted collectively by APEC’s 21 member economies in Gyeongju, a city with a thousand years of history.
In addition, to make the APEC gathering more accessible and enjoyable to the public, government ministries and the city of Gyeongju are collaborating with various artistic organizations to prepare a wide array of cultural events.
Gyeongju, the venue for the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, is a city steeped in the thousand-year legacy of the Silla Dynasty. With thousands of international delegates and visitors expected to converge, Gyeongju is drawing global attention. The city is joining forces with cultural organizations and institutions to transform this historic backdrop into a festival of K-culture for the world.
In partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation, Gyeongju will stage an impressive lineup of traditional and contemporary performances. More than 700 musicians, singers and dancers from 31 ensembles will bring audiences a rich variety of sights and sounds. From Oct. 7 to 12, Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village will host concerts featuring traditional artists from the Yeongnam region as well as chamber creative gugak (traditional Korean music). From Oct. 20 to 29, Yukbuchon, a Hanok (traditional Korean house) that houses the nation’s first international convention center, will present performances by the National Youth Traditional Music Ensemble, the National Youth Dance Company and regional troupes. From Oct. 22 to 29, Cheomseongdae Observatory will set the stage for Korea’s most renowned groups, including the National Gugak Center, Gyeonggi Sinawi Orchestra, Gugak Broadcasting System and Jeonbuk State Gugak Center. Finally, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park will showcase “PURE HEART,” a theatrical reinterpretation of the classic tale “Simcheong” performed by the National Jeongdong Theater of Korea with striking LED visual effects.
Gyeongju’s art museums and cultural spaces are also curating special exhibitions to mark the occasion. The Wooyang Art Museum will feature “Nam June Paik: Humanity in the Circuits,” highlighting the global pioneer of media art. Place C, a multidisciplinary cultural venue, will host “Time to Stage,” an exhibition featuring works created by five contemporary artists inspired by costumes once worn by SM Entertainment’s K-pop stars. The Gyeongju Arts Center will host “Modern and Contemporary Korean Art: The Four Masters,” featuring Kim Whanki, Park Sookeun, Lee Jungseop and Chang Ucchin. Meanwhile, in a historic first, Gyeongju National Museum will display all six Silla golden crowns, gathered from different parts of Korea.
Festivals across Gyeongju will also be elevated in honor of APEC. From Oct. 10 to 12, the Silla Cultural Festival, now in its 62nd year, will expand its programming to commemorate the 2025 APEC. At Bonghwangdae Tomb, the “APEC Music Square” will stage performances by legendary Korean acts including rock band YB, first-generation K-pop group god and popular female duo DAVICHI.
