Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoonchul: "Let's Create an Unrivaled APEC Through Government-Private 'One Team' Cooperation"…On-Site Inspection in Gyeongju

On September 19, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoonchul visited key infrastructure sites for the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju, including the HICO Convention Center, Expo Park, and Media Center, to inspect the event preparations. He also held a meeting with representatives of local small business associations in Gyeongju to hear about the private sector's readiness and their suggestions.

This on-site inspection was conducted as the APEC Summit (October 31 to November 1) is about 40 days away, with the aim of thoroughly reviewing all preparations for the successful hosting of the summit. It also served as an opportunity to strengthen a field-oriented response system by sharing the status of preparations between the public and private sectors, working together as "one team."

(From left) Kim Hojin, Director of Planning and Coordination Office of Gyeongbuk Province; Yang Geumhee, Deputy Governor for Economy of Gyeongbuk Province; Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju; and Koo Yoonchul, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, are listening to an explanation from Kim Sangcheol, Head of the APEC Preparation Support Team of Gyeongbuk Province.

At the inspection, Yang Geumhee, Deputy Governor for Economy of Gyeongbuk Province; Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju; Kim Hojin, Director of Planning and Coordination Office of Gyeongbuk Province; and Kim Sangcheol, Head of the APEC Preparation Support Team, attended to jointly review the main event venues' infrastructure and operational plans.

Deputy Prime Minister Koo first received a report from the APEC Preparation Support Team on the status of infrastructure preparations for the summit, then personally visited key venues such as the corporate exhibition hall (Expo Park), the summit hall (HICO), and the media center, focusing on the flow of movement, construction progress, and operational plans.

Deputy Prime Minister Koo stated, "With only about 40 days left until the summit, please conduct thorough, field-oriented inspections of detailed plans in each area, including infrastructure, transportation, safety, and protocol." He emphasized, "The overall quality of the event depends on how meticulously even the smallest details are prepared, so I hope you will devote your utmost effort until the very end."

He also requested, "To ensure that cultural events such as banquets and performances proceed smoothly, please work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to fully support advance rehearsals and preparations, so that the appeal of K-culture can be widely promoted to the world during the summit."

At the subsequent meeting with small business representatives, he shared updates on private sector preparations with association officials from the accommodation, restaurant, and tourism industries in Gyeongju, and listened to their on-site suggestions.

Deputy Prime Minister Koo acknowledged various private sector efforts such as staff hospitality training, accommodation maintenance, and installation of foreign language signs, stating, "The accommodation, information, and services that the leaders and delegations first encounter will represent the dignity of Gyeongju and the image of Korean hospitality." He encouraged them by saying, "Your sincere preparations and efforts will make Gyeongju a place people want to visit again, and Korea a country people want to experience again."

He added, "The government will also do its utmost to work closely with the private sector as 'one team' until the very end, to create an 'unrivaled K-APEC' that the world will remember."

Yang Geumhee, Deputy Governor for Economy of Gyeongbuk Province, emphasized, "The APEC Summit is a golden opportunity for Gyeongbuk and Gyeongju to gain global attention. Through its successful hosting, we will achieve both revitalization of the local economy and expansion of global exchanges." She added, "The government, Gyeongbuk Province, Gyeongju City, and the private sector will join forces to use APEC as a springboard to elevate the status of 'Gyeongju in the World, Global Gyeongbuk.'"