Minister Choi Hwiyoung: "Cultural Creative Industry Is a Key Driver of Job Creation and Economic Growth"

Minister Choi Hwiyoung:
"A First Step in Cultural Cooperation Discussions...
Hoping Culture Becomes a Milestone for Shared Prosperity"
JYP Entertainment CCO Park Jinyoung Attends Welcome Dinner,
Emphasizes "K-Content as a Communication P

"The cultural creative industry, based on creativity and cultural elements, has now become more than just a form of cultural expression. It has established itself as a core industry that directly impacts the macroeconomy, including economic growth and job creation."

Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, made this statement during the opening address at the 'Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cultural Industry Senior Dialogue' main session held on the 27th at the Hilton Hotel in Gyeongju. This meeting marks the first time that ministers and vice ministers in the cultural industry sector from all 21 APEC member economies have gathered in one place, and it will continue until the 28th. The significance of the event is heightened by the fact that the cultural industry is emerging as a key sector in the global economy and global interest in K-content is rapidly increasing.

Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivers the opening address at the 'APEC Cultural Industry Senior Dialogue Opening Ceremony' held on the 27th at the Hilton Hotel in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk.
Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Minister Choi Hwiyoung: "A First Step in Discussing Cultural Cooperation... Hoping Culture Becomes a Milestone for Shared Prosperity"

Minister Choi stated, "The cultural creative industry is a key driver of job creation and economic value, and its importance is rapidly gaining recognition worldwide. In particular, the remarkable advancement of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) is causing an explosive increase in the consumption of cultural content, generating new added value and further expanding the economic ripple effects of culture."

He continued, "I hope today's dialogue will not only be the first step in earnest discussions on cooperation in the cultural creative industry within the APEC region, but also serve as a clear milestone toward shared prosperity through culture."

The Cultural Industry Senior Dialogue is being held under the theme "Cultural Creative Industry, A New Horizon for Prosperity," and is organized into three sessions in line with the three main pillars of the 2025 APEC Summit: Connect, Innovate, and Prosper. The meeting highlights the value of the cultural creative industry as a new catalyst for economic cooperation within APEC and explores ways to achieve harmonious development through it. In addition, the impact of new technologies such as digitalization and AI on the industry is being discussed in depth.

Private sector experts are also participating, providing an opportunity for public-private cooperation. Director Kwon Hansle, winner of the Grand Prize at the 1st Dubai International AI Film Festival; Professor Lee Kyogu of Seoul National University and CEO of Supertone; and Yves Daccord, President of the Edgelands Institute, are presenting in each session. Jinyoung Park, Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of JYP Entertainment, joined as a special speaker.

Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is taking a commemorative photo with the chief representatives of each country at the opening ceremony of the 'APEC Cultural Industry Senior Dialogue' held on the 27th at the Hilton Hotel in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk.
Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Jinyoung Park, JYP Entertainment CCO, Attends Welcome Dinner: "K-Content is a Platform for Communication"

Prior to the main session, a welcome dinner was held on the 26th at Uyang Art Museum in Gyeongju, attended by over 130 people, including ministerial and vice-ministerial delegates from member countries, private speakers, and cultural industry representatives. Jinyoung Park, CCO, introduced global success stories of Korean popular culture under the theme "K-POP Connecting the World," emphasizing, "K-Culture is more than just content; it is a cultural language shared by the world and a platform for communication." He further added, "K-POP has become more than just a music genre; it is now a powerful cultural force that moves the hearts of people around the globe," which resonated strongly with the audience.

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

The dinner featured dishes such as Gyeongju Cheonnyeon Hanwoo Tteokgalbi, "Smile of Silla" roof tile chocolates, and Gyeongju's representative traditional liquor "Gyodong Beopju." In addition, a performance directed by Chief Director Jung Gooho, with choreographer Lee Ruda, cellist Ji Park, and musician Chu Dahye, showcased a remarkable harmony of tradition and modernity, receiving enthusiastic applause. Delegates from each country also showed great interest in the 40 types of commemorative gifts "Mutes" prepared by the National Museum Cultural Foundation, as well as the magpie tiger badge from the animation "K-POP Demon Hunters."

An official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said, "Through this dialogue, member countries are expected to adopt an outcome document expressing their commitment to ongoing cooperation in the cultural creative industry sector." The official added, "This outcome document will serve as a foundation for making the cultural creative industry a key driver of economic growth at the APEC level and for strengthening related cooperation in the future."