Photos of summits @Wikimedia Commons



As the 2025 host nation of APEC, South Korea used its term not only to stage the summit itself but also to organize a wide range of cultural and policy events in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

A centerpiece of the host year was the first-ever APEC High-Level Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI). Centered on the theme “CCIs: New Horizons for Prosperity,” the dialogue reflected APEC’s official slogan, “Connect–Innovate–Prosper,” and underscored Korea’s approach to future growth through cultural expansion and technological advancement. In the article, The SeoulTech explores how culture and technology formed the two central pillars of South Korea’s APEC host year strategy.

Cultural Identity Through Tradition and Innovation

The first pillar of Korea’s APEC hosting debut saw Gyeongju host a cultural festival centered on the so-called “Five Han” elements—Hanbok, Hangeul, Hanok, Hansik, and Hallyu—to showcase the diverse, multifaceted appeal of K-culture. One of the program’s most captivating events was a futuristic Hanbok runway show staged on the water at Woljeonggyo Bridge, which drew significant attention from attendees. Blending traditional apparel with modern technology, the performance illustrated the potential for expanding traditional culture through media art, using drones and laser projections.

The festival also featured a large-scale performance structured in three acts linking Korea’s past, present, and future, emphasizing storytelling as a form of cultural diplomacy. G-Dragon’s stage performance received international attention, highlighting the intensity and dynamism of contemporary K-culture. The performance concluded with a large-scale fireworks display and a drone-based media art presentation involving 2,000 drones, underscoring Korea’s technological creativity.

More traditional cultural exhibitions also played an important part, with Gyeongju National Museum presenting a special exhibition titled Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige, spotlighting ancient artifacts, including Silla gold crowns. In addition, a nighttime media art program was staged around Daereungwon Tomb, offering a distinctive viewing experience that reinterpreted the ancient tombs and surrounding natural terrain through a contemporary sensibility.



K-culture showcase @Flickr, APEC 2025 Korea

Technological Drive in Future Industries

The second pillar of South Korea’s APEC hostyear programming highlighted the country’s technological strength and leadership in future industries. The Economic Exhibition Hall, purpose-built for APEC, drew international participants to Korean technology and industrial innovation. The venue served as a platform for showcasing advancements by domestic companies, supporting their efforts to expand global outreach during the summit.

One of the venue’s major events was the K-Tech Showcase, which brought together leading Korean corporations, including Samsung, LG, SK, and Hyundai Motor Group, alongside global companies such as Meta. The exhibits highlighted a wide range of advanced technologies, including mobility and robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart home systems, as well as metaverse and extended reality (XR) platforms.



Hyundai Motor Group attracted particular attention by presenting future mobility technologies such as the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle NEXO, purpose-built vehicles (PBVs), and advanced robotics. Samsung and LG showcased AI-powered smart home solutions, while SK introduced developments in next generation batteries and semiconductor technologies. Startups also participated, demonstrating their competitiveness through metaverse and XR experiences and robotics platforms.



People experiencing VR @Flickr, APEC 2025 Korea

Taken together, the cultural events formed one pillar of South Korea’s APEC host year, while the economic exhibition hall served as the central venue for the technological pillar. Through this focus, Korea used its APEC host year not merely to stage events, but as an opportunity to present a broader vision for future growth. The APEC programs offered a glimpse into the direction of Korea’s vision for future prosperity.

Reporters

Sieun Jeon

cherryjeon06@seoultech.ac.kr

Somin Hong

hongsomin@seoultech.ac.kr

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