[Gyeongju APEC] Behind-the-Scenes Networking Begins... LG Sends Home Appliance President

1,000 Attendees Gather for Welcome Dinner Ahead of CEO Summit
Leaders and Business Executives from Around the World Meet for "Dialogue"
Backchannel Networking Expected to Gain Momentum
New Industrial Cooperation Achievements Anticipated for

The 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit officially opened on the 29th, marking the beginning of intensive "behind-the-scenes networking" within the industry. After the welcome dinner held the previous day at Hwarang Village in Gyeongju, which set the stage for initial exchanges, national leaders and global CEOs are now commencing substantive discussions on cooperation.

According to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, approximately 1,000 people attended the CEO Summit dinner the previous evening, including government officials such as Prime Minister Kim Minseok and business leaders from both Korea and abroad. Hwarang Village strictly controlled access by blocking entry routes even before the dinner began. Key figures from the Korean business sector in attendance included Park Seunghee, President of Samsung Electronics; Yoo Jungjoon, Vice Chairman of SK On; Lee Hyunghee, Chairman of the SK SUPEX Council; Sung Kim, President of Hyundai Motor Company; and Ryu Jaecheol, President of LG Electronics.

28 2025 APEC CEO.

Unlike other major groups such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Company, which formed delegations mainly consisting of executives responsible for external affairs, LG Electronics was represented directly by Ryu Jaecheol, Head of the Home Appliance & Air Solution (HS) Business Division and President, who oversees the home appliance business. LG Electronics’ decision to have the executive in charge of its core home appliance division attend the event is seen as a move aimed simultaneously at resolving supply chain bottlenecks, advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technology cooperation, and strengthening its global brand presence.

This dinner was the first occasion for business leaders from various countries to engage in backchannel (informal) networking before the official agenda exchanges of the CEO Summit. It is reported that candid discussions took place on key industry issues such as supply chain risks, technology and investment cooperation, and the expansion of the AI ecosystem.

Choi Taewon, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, encouraged active communication between the government and businesses in his welcoming remarks. He stated, "This is a place to exchange ideas and build bigger businesses together. We will share wisdom and culture and cooperate, and APEC, as a multilateral platform, will make a genuine contribution to humanity."

An industry official commented, "Before the main schedule began, this served as a starting point for sharing and discussing the Korean business community’s vision on issues such as supply chain risks, infrastructure development, and technology and investment across the industry as a whole."

28 2025 APEC CEO.

During the APEC period, Gyeongju has transformed into a "global industrial conference hall," creating a bustling and lively atmosphere. At the Gyeongju Arts Center, where the CEO Summit is being held, a large screen displays the summit’s theme, "Bridge·Business·Beyond (3B)," which stands for "Beyond boundaries, building new partnerships (Bridge) through innovative business activities (Business)." This message greets business and technology leaders from around the world.

Throughout the CEO Summit, informal evening gatherings among business leaders are scheduled to take place in Gyeongju every night. As the days progress, the level of discussion and cooperation is expected to become increasingly concrete. On the 29th, a business roundtable will be held at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, with the heads of the four major Korean conglomerates-Samsung Electronics, SK, Hyundai Motor Company, and LG Electronics-along with Kim Dongkwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha, who leads the MASGA Project, and Chung Kisun, Chairman of HD Hyundai, participating.

On the 30th, it is expected that Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Chung Euisun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, will have a dinner meeting with Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, to discuss cooperation in the fields of AI, semiconductors, and mobility.