Summit Venue Inspired by Silla Pavilion
Banquet Hall Incorporates Traditional Korean Architecture
As of August 21, about 70 days before the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the construction progress rates for the summit venue and banquet hall in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, have reached approximately 63%. The International Media Center, which will serve as the location for coverage and briefings by journalists from around the world, has a completion rate of 74%.
On this day, North Gyeongsang Province and the city of Gyeongju held a briefing session for the media at the Gyeongju Hilton Hotel regarding the preparations for the APEC Summit. They stated, "The preparations for the infrastructure are entering their final stages. We are meticulously preparing the detailed programs to ensure the event's success and make it a memorable APEC Summit in history."
Given that the completion rates a month ago were 40% for the summit venue, 35% for the banquet hall, and 60% for the International Media Center, construction is progressing rapidly. The province and the city plan to complete the major construction work for the summit venue, banquet hall, and media center-key infrastructure facilities-by next month, and then conduct trial operations for about a month to ensure the event proceeds smoothly.
On the 21st, the preparation work for the summit venue is underway at the HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, during a briefing session on APEC on-site preparation for invited journalists. Photo by Yonhap News
The HICO Convention Center, which will serve as the summit venue, is drawing attention for its curved exterior, inspired by the traditional Silla pavilion. The province and the city are investing 15.3 billion KRW to renovate the facility, equipping it with meeting rooms, lounges, conversation rooms, delegation spaces, administrative support facilities, luncheon rooms, and conference halls. In addition, carpets, escalators, and elevators are being completely replaced.
To create a paperless conference environment, LED screens, beam projectors, audio equipment, and uninterruptible power supply systems are being installed. Preparations are also underway to incorporate elements of traditional Korean culture into the venue and video presentations.
The banquet hall, considered the highlight of the APEC Summit, is being constructed in the central courtyard of the Gyeongju National Museum. The province and related agencies have invested 8 billion KRW in the construction of the banquet hall. The Cultural Heritage Administration has incorporated traditional Korean architectural elements such as wooden structures, stone staircases, eaves, folding doors, and rafters to highlight Korean aesthetics. The interior will include a banquet hall, performance stage, exhibition space, waiting rooms, and catering facilities.
On the 21st, at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, a briefing session on the on-site preparation status for APEC was held for invited journalists, while construction work for the APEC summit banquet hall was underway. Photo by Yonhap News
The International Media Center, currently under construction on the outdoor grounds of the HICO Convention Center, will serve as the workspace for major domestic and international media outlets during the summit. The province and the city are investing 17.2 billion KRW to build a two-story media center, focusing on creating an environment and features that are convenient for both domestic and foreign journalists. The center will house a broadcasting center, press rooms, briefing rooms, and interview rooms.
The province and the city plan to provide the summit venue and International Media Center with fast and highly secure state-of-the-art wireless Wi-Fi, further enhancing Korea's reputation as an internet powerhouse. Due to time and budget constraints, the focus has been placed on functionality rather than appearance. The International Media Center and banquet hall being constructed for this event will continue to be used even after the APEC Summit.
Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju, explained, "The process of selecting the summit venue was delayed, which made preparations difficult, and until February this year, there was not a single won allocated by the central government for APEC. However, because the local government handled the design and preparations in advance using reserve funds, construction has been proceeding without major issues."
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