Yang Geumhee, Gyeongbuk Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs: "Gyeongju to Become a Top 10 Global Tourist Destination After APEC"

Asia Forum 21 Invited Discussion
"TK New Airport Not Being Sidelined Yet"

Yang Geumhee, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs of Gyeongbuk Province, stated on the 24th, "After APEC concludes, Gyeongju will rise to become one of the world's top 10 tourist destinations."

Deputy Governor Yang attended a discussion forum hosted by 'Asia Forum 21,' a gathering of leading journalists from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, at 7:30 a.m. that day. She said, "We are planning three initiatives for the first APEC: launching the Gyeongju Forum, developing Bomun Lake-which marks its 50th anniversary as a tourism complex-and fostering Gyeongju as a global top 10 tourist destination." She added, "We are planning to advance both the hard and soft sectors."

Yang Geumhee, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs of Gyeongbuk Province

Deputy Governor Yang explained, "After APEC was held in places like Mexico and Da Nang in Vietnam, the number of tourists surged dramatically. To attract more tourists, it would be ideal to utilize Gimhae Airport or Pohang-Gyeongju Airport as direct flight airports. We are also considering commissioning a study to increase the number of tourists visiting Gyeongju."

Deputy Governor Yang pledged, "To nurture Gyeongju as a tourism city, we plan to develop the story of the Silla unification of the Three Kingdoms, which is filled with the tales of heroes. We will create a living, breathing historical narrative that far surpasses even Romeo and Juliet."

Deputy Governor Yang said, "Preparations for APEC in Gyeongju are now in their final stages, and from October, we will be able to begin simulations. Recently, the venue for the leaders' banquet was changed from the Gyeongju Museum to a hotel, taking into consideration Gyeongju's cultural heritage and other factors. The reasons seem to be the limited capacity and inconvenience for attendees. The originally designated banquet venue, the Gyeongju Museum, may instead be used as a meeting place for leaders and CEOs."

Deputy Governor Yang introduced, "We are preparing corporate tours, temple visits, and XR buses that offer virtual experiences for the spouses of the leaders."

Deputy Governor Yang remarked, "Although I expected the Lee Jaemyung administration to make pragmatic choices, I am concerned about the passage of anti-business legislation. I am very worried about the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, but it is not being sidelined. Ultimately, everything depends on President Lee Jaemyung's decision."