The Meaning Behind the Jade-Green Scarves Worn by APEC Leaders in Gyeongju: "Recovery, Growth, and Peace"

APEC Summit Concludes with Group Photo Featuring Special Scarves
Inspired by Curved Jade Ornaments from Silla Gold Crowns
Korean Alphabet and APEC Emblem Embellished in Gold Leaf, Symbolizing Connection, Innovation, and Prosperity

On November 1, President Lee Jaemyung concluded the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit at the Gyeongju HwaBaek Convention Center (HICO) by taking a group commemorative photo with the other leaders.

For this commemorative photo, the leaders wore a special Hanbok accessory-a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Hanbok scarf. This accessory was crafted from "Gap-sa," a traditional fabric woven with silk threads drawn from silkworm cocoons, adding both elegance and authenticity. It was created with the consultation of Hanbok experts. In particular, the scarf was designed by blending the traditional form with a modern sensibility, making it comfortable for both domestic and international leaders to wear.

According to the Office of the President, the scarf accessory features Korean alphabet characters and the APEC emblem, symbolizing the three main themes of the 2025 APEC-"Connection, Innovation, and Prosperity"-applied with gold leaf techniques. This harmoniously embodies both traditional and modern aesthetics. The jade green and gold colors were inspired by the color scheme of Silla-era gold crowns adorned with curved jade ornaments, emphasizing the symbolic significance of hosting APEC in Gyeongju.

Jade green, a familiar color referenced in the lyrics of the Korean song "The Swing" as a sambe jade-green skirt, has traditionally been regarded as a noble color symbolizing recovery, growth, and peace.

Hanbok designer Kim Hyesoon, who led the scarf design, stated, "I was inspired by the fact that the Hapi-style scarf was once a garment symbolizing royal authority, and I designed this commemorative scarf for the summit using Hanbok materials." Notably, eco-friendly materials were used for this accessory to reflect the APEC summit's theme of "Shaping a Sustainable Tomorrow Together."

President Lee presented the scarf, a symbol conveying the dignity of Korean traditional culture and the significance of APEC, to each leader in a box made of Hanji, traditional Korean paper.