"I Loved Gyeongju's Sights and Food. I Want to Visit Again"... Peruvian Minister of Culture Visits Gyeongju

'APEC High-Level Dialogue' Successfully Concludes in Gyeongju
Delegates Experience Silla Heritage and Korean Cuisine
Philippine Representative: "A Meaningful Experience"

The "2025 APEC High-Level Dialogue on Cultural Industries" held in Gyeongju concluded successfully on August 28, with the delegation’s sightseeing program marking the final event.

The sightseeing program for the delegations included Bulguksa Temple, the Gyeongju National Museum, and Daereungwon, allowing participants to fully experience the thousand-year-old legacy of Silla. The APEC Preparation Support Team divided the delegations into two groups and carefully arranged the courses so that there would be no overlap, ensuring a comfortable environment for everyone to enjoy the tours.

The Minister of Culture of Peru (right), who visited Gyeongju, is taking a walk.

In addition, the itinerary was meticulously planned to allow delegates to view and hear explanations about Woljeonggyo Bridge, Banwolseong Fortress, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and Cheomseongdae Observatory from the bus, even though these sites were not part of the official program.

The lunch featured a traditional Korean set meal, offering a taste of Korean cuisine, while vegetarian options were provided for delegates with special dietary requirements.

The delegates were captivated by the serene atmosphere of Bulguksa Temple, the grandeur and openness of Daereungwon, and the splendor and intricacy of Silla metal craftsmanship on display at the Gyeongju National Museum.

Fabrizio Valencia, the Minister of Culture of Peru, said, "I enjoyed being able to visit Gyeongju’s historic sites. The meal was delicious, and I was delighted to experience new flavors. I would like to recommend Gyeongju to others, and if I have the chance, I would love to visit again," expressing his deep appreciation for the city’s charm.

Ludy Aldunar of the Philippine delegation commented, "It was a meaningful experience that helped me understand why Gyeongju is known as a historic site. The explanations provided by our guide were also excellent," expressing his satisfaction.

Meanwhile, following the successful hosting of the APEC 2025 SOM1 (the First Senior Officials’ Meeting) in February, Gyeongju once again demonstrated its potential as a world-class MICE city by flawlessly managing every aspect of the High-Level Dialogue on Cultural Industries, including conference facilities, surrounding environment, transportation, accommodation, lunches, dinners, and tours.

Currently, the APEC Preparation Support Team is making every effort to ensure that this year’s APEC event will be the most successful ever, aiming to elevate North Gyeongsang Province and Gyeongju to global prominence once again.