[Gyeongju APEC] CEO Summit One Day Before Opening: Venue Transforms into Global Stage amid Growing Excitement

From Gyeongju Station: "Welcome to APEC"
Participants Lining Up for Registration from the 28th
"Looking Forward to Leaders' and High-Level Officials' Speeches"
Venue Filled with Korean Cultural Content and Facilities

On the first day of the '2025 APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) CEO Summit,' which will be held in Gyeongju for four days starting from October 28, the venue was bustling with event rehearsals and preparations ahead of the opening ceremony scheduled for the 29th. From the afternoon, groups of event sponsors, participating companies, and officials began gathering in front of the Seoul Arts Center, where badge registration was underway. Gyeongju, drawing leaders, government officials, and businesspeople from around the world, was filled with excitement as it prepared to welcome its guests.

Throughout downtown Gyeongju, banners announcing the APEC event were displayed on public facilities, buses, and taxis. The roads were especially crowded with tour buses and taxis transporting visitors to Gyeongju. From the Gyeongju Station terminal, where high-speed trains arrive and depart, information booths for APEC participants and Korea-related exhibition content were set up, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

In the open space in front of the Seoul Arts Center, where the main CEO Summit event was held, a booth for attendee badge registration was set up. Dozens of people lined up by category at the booth to apply for badges and receive event guides and souvenirs. Various languages such as English and Chinese could be heard at the booths, highlighting the global nature of the event. Participants represented a wide range of organizations, including government agencies, large corporations, and startups.

On the 28th, a booth for badge registration for CEO Summit attendees was set up in the open space in front of the Seoul Arts Center, where the main CEO Summit event was held. Photo by Park Juni.

Throughout the venue, sponsors, speakers, and participants were seen touring the event space. Naver executives, including CEO Choi Sooyoun and Naver Cloud CEO Kim Yoowon, were also spotted on-site.

Participants expressed their anticipation for the event. Barbara Hazard, Vice President of Operations at the U.S. APEC National Center, who participated as a sponsor, said, "It is interesting to hear the opinions of leaders, and it will be a great opportunity to understand the perspectives of high-level officials from various countries. This time, all the leaders are gathering, and I am looking forward to actually hearing their keynote speeches."

Yuan Jiming, CEO of Glamour, an AI startup based in China, also commented, "I am looking forward to hearing fascinating lectures from people from many different countries."

On the 28th, participants preparing for rehearsal are lined up at the Seoul Arts Center, where the main event of the CEO Summit will be held. Photo by Park Juni.

On the following day, the 29th, representatives and participating companies lined up at the entrance of the Seoul Arts Center for rehearsals as the main event was set to begin. On the morning of the 29th, key figures such as President Lee Jaemyung and Choi Taewon, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of SK Group, are scheduled to take the stage here.

Korean cultural content was prominently featured at the venue. In front of the main event hall, preparations were underway at the 'Wine and Traditional Liquor Fair' corner for an exhibition. During the CEO Summit, a special side event for participants will be held here. Under the theme 'Taste APEC: 21 in a Glass,' all 21 member economies will showcase their signature alcoholic beverages. In particular, Korea's traditional liquors are expected to be the most extensively exhibited. Yoo Youngjin, a sommelier at Walkerhill Hotel preparing the booth, said, "I hope participants will come and taste various beverages from different countries, and especially enjoy Korea's traditional liquors."

Dozens of fire trucks and police cars were stationed throughout the venue to ensure the safety of participants. Police officers responsible for on-site security were also visible from this day onward.

On the 28th, in front of the main hall of the CEO Summit, preparations were underway for the exhibition at the 'Wine and Traditional Liquor Fair' corner. Photo by Park Jooni.

On the 28th, the main event of the CEO Summit is held in front of the Seoul Arts Center, where the 'K-Wave Playground' experience zone is set up. Photo by Park Juni.

Meanwhile, a 'K-Wave Playground' experience zone was being set up, modeled after a traditional Korean house, where visitors will be able to experience Korean traditional culture such as Yutnori and Hanbok. In another area, food trucks lined up, preparing to welcome visitors. In addition, various yet-to-be-opened facilities and banners promoting the CEO Summit added vibrancy throughout the venue. Starting the next day, the venue is expected to fill with even more participants gathering to see President Lee, U.S. President Donald Trump, other world leaders, and global figures such as Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia.