Top 10 Visions for Economy, Tourism, and Welfare: The Post-APEC Blueprint
Seeking a Path Forward for Humanity at the Summit
In October 2025, the leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific countries will gather in Gyeongju.
Gyeongju is positioning the upcoming APEC Summit not merely as the host of an international event, but as a stage to showcase the city’s future strategies to the world.
Based on recent citizen survey results, the achievements of the 8th popularly elected administration over the past three years, its top ten future visions, and the historical significance of APEC, Gyeongju City is redefining both its present and its future. <Editor’s Note>
Scenes from the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon held to wish for the successful hosting of the 2025 APEC Summit
◆Gyeongju: From "Millennium Capital" to International Conference City
Gyeongju has long been known as the "Millennium Capital," but that title no longer refers only to its glorious past. Once the capital of Silla, Gyeongju is now reinventing itself as an international conference city that attracts global attention.
The successful bid to host the 2025 APEC Summit, achieved through the aspirations of Gyeongju’s 250,000 citizens, is a symbolic accomplishment. At a press meeting with local correspondents in July, Mayor Joo Nakyoung said, "We will unite the strength of all citizens to host a flawless APEC Summit," adding, "We will solidify our status as a global international city based on the APEC legacy."
Gyeongju has already established itself as a leading tourist destination in South Korea, with over 47 million annual visitors. Hwangnidan-gil has emerged as one of the most popular tourist spots nationwide.
Major initiatives such as the Smart Agricultural Innovation Town, the Fishing Village New Deal, the opening of the Hwanggeum Bridge, and urban regeneration projects have also contributed to improving citizens’ quality of life and promoting balanced regional development.
Additionally, Gyeongju has been awarded the highest grade for five consecutive years in the Korea Manifesto Pledge Implementation Assessment and has ranked among the top in the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission’s integrity evaluation for three years in a row, further boosting administrative trust through external recognition.
These changes demonstrate that Gyeongju is evolving beyond a mere "historical city" into a "city preparing for the future."
◆A Record-High 78.6% Citizen Satisfaction...Clear Signs of Change
The transformation in Gyeongju is also reflected in survey results. In a citizen satisfaction survey conducted from August 4 to 11 to mark the third anniversary of the 8th popularly elected administration, 78.6% of respondents expressed satisfaction with city administration. This figure is up 27.9 percentage points from 50.7% in 2019.
Positive responses regarding the city’s development potential reached 83.4%, up 3.4 percentage points from last year and 26.4 percentage points higher than in 2019. Awareness of city administration activities also hit a record high of 71.0%, a 26 percentage point increase compared to 2019.
By sector, culture, tourism, and sports recorded the highest satisfaction (84.3%), followed by regional development (80.1%), general administration (77.7%), health and welfare (75.4%), economy and industry (74.8%), and agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries (70.2%).
The projects that citizens most anticipate align with Gyeongju’s strategic direction: restoration and maintenance of core Silla royal sites (19.7%), creation of the Dongcheon-Hwangseong Millennium Forest Trail (15.6%), construction of a complex cultural library and city art museum (12.4%), and establishment of the SMR National Industrial Complex (12.3%) are among the most notable.
Perceptions of the APEC Summit are even more positive. 92.1% of respondents said they are "satisfied with the hosting," and 92.4% believe it will "contribute to Gyeongju’s development." This indicates that citizens view the international event not just as a one-off occasion, but as a driving force for the city’s growth.
◆The Future Desired by Citizens Aligns with the City’s Vision
A notable finding from the survey is that the most frequently cited vision for the city’s future was revitalizing the local economy and creating jobs (52.8%). This was followed by expanding historical, cultural, and tourism infrastructure (23.1%), strengthening health and welfare (7.4%), and building an innovative city based on transportation networks (6.4%).
In terms of specific tasks, support for youth startups and job creation (30.2%), attracting corporate investment (24.7%), support for traditional markets and small business owners (21.9%), and expanding tourism infrastructure (18.4%) were primarily mentioned. In the welfare sector, improving senior welfare (30.0%), expanding women-friendly city policies (29.4%), and providing career counseling and after-school support for youth (15.5%) were identified as key priorities.
These responses show that the future envisioned by citizens is closely aligned with the city’s vision. The slogan "A Greater Gyeongju, A Better Future" is not just administrative rhetoric, but a promise that reflects the expectations and perspectives of its citizens.
◆Gyeongju’s Future Strategy After APEC
So, where should Gyeongju head after the APEC Summit?
The answer can be found in the city’s "Top 10 Strategic Tasks for 2026," as announced by Gyeongju City.
The first is "Post-APEC Initiatives."
This includes the creation of the APEC Memorial Park and the Hall of Culture, renovation of the Bomun Tourist Complex, and the development of the Silla History and Culture Grand Park to create spaces where past and future coexist. The city will also focus its administrative efforts on hosting the Gyeongju International History and Culture Forum and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit.
The second is "Emerging as South Korea’s Premier Cultural Tourism City." Major projects include the restoration and maintenance of 14 core Silla royal sites, restoration of the Wolseong moat, opening of the Geumgwanchong exhibition space, construction of the King Munmu Maritime History Museum, and maintenance of the Gyeongju Eupseong Fortress.
The third is "Becoming One of the World’s Top 100 Tourist Cities." By remodeling the Bomun Tourist Complex, establishing a pet theme park, and creating a workation village, the city aims to strengthen its global competitiveness through new tourism infrastructure.
The fourth is "A Hub for Next-Generation Nuclear Power and Future Vehicle Industries." Gyeongju will lay the foundation for a science city with the King Munmu Science Research Institute, the SMR National Industrial Complex, an e-mobility research cluster, and an advanced materials processing center.
Other visions include creating quality jobs and supporting small businesses, building a family-friendly and happy city, creating an urban environment attractive to young people, and expanding an integrated road infrastructure. The city plans to focus its resources on these remaining visions as well.
◆Gyeongju APEC: A Stage for Global Discourse
Over the past decade, APEC has reflected global trends through its annual agendas.
From "Shaping the Future through Partnership" in Beijing in 2014, to "Inclusive Economies" in Manila in 2015, "Quality Growth" in Lima in 2016, "New Dynamism" in Da Nang in 2017, "Shared Prosperity and Solidarity" during the pandemic, "Open. Connect. Balance." in Bangkok in 2022, "Creating a Sustainable Future" in San Francisco in 2023, and "Empowerment, Inclusion, Growth" in Lima in 2024, these themes illustrate the evolution of global discourse. The focus has shifted from "bigger and faster" to "together and longer-lasting."
The final destination of this journey is Gyeongju in 2025. This year’s summit will be held under the theme "Sustainable Tomorrow We Create: Connection, Innovation, Prosperity."
Mayor Joo Nakyoung stated, "We will drive sustainable growth through policies that citizens can truly feel," adding, "We will continue to enhance citizen satisfaction and achieve uninterrupted development for Gyeongju through communication and cooperation."
At the end of next month, Gyeongju will not merely be a conference venue, but a stage where humanity overcomes crises and writes a new chapter of reconciliation and cooperation.
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