Welcome Dinner for the APEC Cultural Industry High-Level Dialogue Held in Gyeongju
"The 'Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cultural Industry High-Level Dialogue,' held for the first time in Gyeongju, South Korea, will serve as a starting point for leading APEC cultural cooperation."
Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized the significance of the inaugural APEC Cultural Industry High-Level Dialogue during the welcome dinner held at Uyang Art Museum in Gyeongju on the 26th. Minister Choi highlighted, "As ministers of cultural industries and leading business figures from member economies have gathered in one place, this dinner marks the starting point for public-private cooperation."
Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivers a welcome speech at the '2025 APEC Cultural Industry Senior Dialogue Welcome Dinner' held on the 26th at Uyang Art Museum in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
From August 26 to 28, the '2025 APEC Cultural Industry High-Level Dialogue' is being held in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, presided over by Minister Choi Hwiyoung. This is the first time that minister-level officials in the field of cultural industries from all 21 APEC member economies have convened for such a meeting. As the value of the cultural industry as a major economic sector continues to rise and global interest in K-content grows, this gathering holds significant meaning.
Prior to the main session of the 2025 APEC Cultural Industry High-Level Dialogue, the welcome dinner was attended by approximately 130 participants, including ministerial and vice-ministerial delegations from the 21 member economies, private sector speakers, and cultural industry leaders. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ministers and delegations from each country showed great interest in the 40 types of 'Muze' souvenirs exhibited by the National Museum Foundation, including the magpie-tiger badge from the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters.'
The dinner event was also attended by leading figures in Korean cultural content, including Jinyoung Park, Chief Creative Officer of JYP Entertainment; Wook Jung, CEO of JYP Entertainment; Minseok Yang, CEO of YG Entertainment; Jaesang Lee, CEO of Hybe; Cheolhyuk Jang, CEO of SM Entertainment; Junghan Kim, Executive Vice President of Strategic Support at CJ ENM; Boyoung Son, Head of the Korea Office of the Motion Picture Association (MPA); and Hoonpyo Jeon, Partner at Saehan Venture Capital.
Jinyoung Park, Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of JYP Entertainment, is giving a presentation on K-POP connecting the world at the "2025 APEC Cultural Industry High-Level Dialogue Welcome Dinner" held on the 26th at Uyang Art Museum in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
During his presentation titled "K-POP Connecting the World," CEO Jinyoung Park introduced global success stories of Korean pop culture, including K-POP. He conveyed the message that "K-culture is more than just content; it is a cultural language and a platform for communication shared by the world." He proposed that, through cooperation at the APEC level, the cultural industry can grow based on innovative digital technologies and the cultivation of creative talent, which resonated strongly with the attendees. CEO Park emphasized, "K-POP is no longer just a genre of music but the greatest cultural force that has ignited the hearts of people around the world."
The dinner featured dishes such as Tteokgalbi made with Gyeongju Cheonnyeon Hanwoo beef, chocolates shaped like the 'Smile of Silla' roof tile, and Gyeongju's signature traditional liquor, Gyodong Beopju. The event also included a performance directed by Guho Jung, which harmoniously blended tradition and modernity and received enthusiastic applause from the participants.
Minister Choi Hwiyoung stated, "Recently, 'K-content' has been receiving tremendous love in the global cultural industry market," adding, "It was meaningful to share this experience, as leading K-culture business figures attended the welcome dinner and gave presentations on key topics."
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