Foreign Minister inspects 2025 APEC summit venue

Minister of Foreign Affairs inspects key facilities for the APEC summit at the Bomun Complex in Gyeongju
Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young, APEC Establishes Foundation for Gyeongju to Grow into World Cultural City

In order to successfully host the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the host cities, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju City, are making all-out efforts to prepare for the perfect event.

According to Gyeongbuk Province and Gyeongju City on the 30th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs APEC Preparation Planning Team, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol, visited the international conference complex in the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju and conducted an on-site inspection of the main facilities for the APEC summit.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol visits the Bomun Tourist Complex International Conference Complex on the 30th and inspects the preparations for the APEC Summit with Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young. Provided by Gyeongsangbuk-do

On this day, the local inspection team inspected major accommodation facilities such as the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO), the main conference venue, The K Hotel, Hilton Gyeongju, and Sono Belle Gyeongju, and toured the banquet halls and cultural event venues such as Hwangryongwon, Bulguksa Temple, and Gyeongju Museum.

After the report on the preparation status of the Gyeongbuk Gyeongju APEC Preparation Support Team, time was taken to discuss the future schedule with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure smooth progress of the 2025 APEC Summit.

Following the visit of the joint government inspection team in early August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted its second on-site inspection, and confirmed the securing of accommodation facilities and improvements to infrastructure, and is currently discussing and inspecting the specific preparedness status with Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol visits the Bomun Tourist Complex International Conference Complex on the 30th and inspects the preparations for the APEC Summit with Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young. Provided by Gyeongsangbuk-do

In the future, Gyeongbuk Province, Gyeongju City, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plan to finalize the locations of key summit facilities, such as the banquet hall and side event hall, and begin construction and remodeling design.

We plan to sign a business cooperation agreement in September, and once the government-wide ‘2025 APEC Summit Basic Plan’ is established, we will prepare specific and practical plans and implementation measures to prepare for the 2025 APEC Summit.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol said, “Through this on-site inspection, I was able to fully experience the cultural heritage and traditional Korean beauty of Gyeongju City,” and added, “I will work closely with Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju City to become one team and ensure that the APEC summit receives praise from the world.”

He also emphasized, “We will prepare the optimal operational support plan at the central government level to hold the most successful summit in history.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol visits the Bomun Tourist Complex International Conference Complex on the 30th and inspects the preparations for the APEC Summit with Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young. Provided by Gyeongsangbuk-do

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is putting its best efforts into hosting a successful event, including allocating a budget of over 100 billion won to prepare for the APEC summit.

Looking at the 2025 budget plan submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the National Assembly, next year’s budget for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is 4.3194 trillion won, a 3.1% increase from this year’s 4.1905 trillion won.

Among these, the budget for preparations for the APEC Gyeongju Summit is 100.8 billion won.

Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young said, “In order to host the most successful summit ever, we will work closely with the central government to build quality facility infrastructure and devise optimal operational support measures.” He added, “Citizens’ interest and participation are also important in the preparation process, so it is necessary to promote various government-level boom-up programs that can provide hope for the future of the region and inject vitality.”

Gyeongju = Reporter Lee Young-gyun lyg0203@segye.com

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