APEC 'D-100'...Prime Minister Minseok Kim Says "Preparations Inadequate Under Previous Administration, but Success Is the Only Option"

With 100 days remaining until the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, Prime Minister Minseok Kim stated on the 23rd, "The APEC preparation balance sheet inherited by the new administration is inadequate, the success of the summit is uncertain, and time is running out." Nevertheless, he emphasized, "For us, there is no alternative but success."

Prime Minister Minseok Kim is delivering the keynote speech at the APEC review comprehensive report held on the 23rd at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, attended by businesspeople and experts in infrastructure and content sectors. 2025.7.23 Photo by Yongjun Cho

On this morning at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Kim presided over the comprehensive APEC summit review meeting and pointed out, "Preparations for APEC were insufficient under the previous administration, which took an abnormal path." He reaffirmed his commitment to the successful hosting of this APEC summit, urging, "We must demonstrate to the world the strength of a nation that has overcome internal strife and now leads in culture, making this summit a springboard for both domestic and international economic recovery." He added, "Ultimately, the success or failure of everything depends on the interest and wisdom of the people," and continued, "In line with President Lee Jaemyung's philosophy, we will share every step of the preparation process with the public and ask for the people's wisdom and cooperation to ensure the summit's success."

Prime Minister Kim also addressed government officials, saying, "It is a tight situation to guarantee that preparations for accommodations, conference venues, banquet halls, media centers, and various programs will be completed by September," and warned, "If we wait until after the initial preparations are finished in September to address any issues, it could become an irreparable mistake." He stressed the need for swift and thorough preparations.

Jina Kim, the Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who attended the meeting, stated, "We will complete all infrastructure construction as scheduled by September and, through final inspections and rehearsals in October, welcome the leaders of each country with flawless preparations." She added, "We will mobilize all our capabilities to ensure the successful hosting of the APEC Summit."

Prime Minister Minseok Kim is presiding over the comprehensive APEC review report held on the 23rd at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with business leaders and experts from the infrastructure and content sectors in attendance. 2025.7.23 Photo by Yongjun Cho

Meanwhile, the government announced that singer G-Dragon has been appointed as the promotional ambassador for the APEC Summit. The promotional video will be directed by Shin Wooseok of Dolgorae Yugwaedan, who is known for his creative direction. The APEC Preparation Planning Team stated, "The collaboration between G-Dragon and Director Shin is a symbolic example of 'K-APEC,' created by Korea's leading cultural icon and a creative group." They added, "We expect that the message of this summit's theme, 'A Sustainable Tomorrow We Create Together,' will be delivered across generations and borders worldwide, and will strongly imprint the creativity and distinctiveness of Korea's hosting of the 2025 APEC Summit."