GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province ― Gyeongju, a city in North Gyeongsang Province, renowned for its UNESCO-listed cultural heritage sites and with budding aspirations to become an international conference hub, is in full swing for the preparation of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, set to take place in eight months.

In an interview with The Korea Herald, Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young underscored the city's thorough preparations for the high-profile event, emphasizing its close cooperation with provincial authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He highlighted not only Gyeongju’s logistical readiness but also its deep historical and cultural significance.

“At a time when K-culture has become a worldwide phenomenon, hosting such a prestigious event presents a unique opportunity to showcase the origins of Korean culture to the world," Joo said.

“We are committed to ensuring the success of the 2025 APEC Summit and transforming Gyeongju into a truly global city," said the mayor who is a member of the conservative People Power Party.

Gyeongju, capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935), is a South Korean city known as a “museum without walls” for its rich cultural heritage and well-preserved landmarks. The city, some 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was selected as the host of the APEC 2025 last year, beating out rivals Jeju and Incheon. South Korea will host the event for the second time after hosting the summit in 2005 in Busan.

With the summit approaching, concerns have been raised about whether a regional city with a population of a quarter of a million can handle an event of this scale. The APEC Summit includes 21 member economies from the Asia-Pacific region and will invite thousands of guests including heads of state, business leaders and experts. Joo dismissed those doubts, stating, “We are fully prepared to prove that not only is it possible, but that Gyeongju will exceed expectations.”

Joo underlined the importance of securing additional funding for the summit’s success. “The state, provincial, and city governments have secured a total of 324.7 billion won ($227 million), but we estimate that an additional 200 billion won will be needed,” he explained. “Securing a supplementary budget is crucial, but with bipartisan support, I believe this will be resolved smoothly.”

One of the city’s pressing priorities is enhancing its infrastructure ― especially accommodations for VIPs. “We need around 35 presidential residence suites of at least 70 pyeong (231.4 square meters) each, but only 14 have been secured so far,” Joo noted. “We’re working to renovate facilities in the Bomun Tourist Complex, which offers 1,500 rooms, to meet international standards.”

To enhance the visitor experience, Gyeongju has been offering training for hospitality staff to meet international protocol standards. In addition, residents are being recruited and trained as volunteers to assist with logistics, interpretation and hospitality services during the event.

Joo sees the summit as a hub for multilateral diplomacy, emphasizing global security as a cornerstone of economic cooperation.

“We aim to establish a platform for meaningful collaboration among leaders from South Korea, the US, Japan and China, potentially culminating in a 'Gyeongju Declaration’ addressing issues like Korean Peninsula denuclearization,” he said, while cautiously hinting at the possibility of expanded discussions involving Russia and North Korea.

The mayor envisions transforming Gyeongju into a global cultural hub, hosting a future expo similar to how Davos in Switzerland hosts the annual World Economic Forum.

In partnership with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the city plans to host more than 1,500 global CEOs and representatives from over 50 multinational corporations. A separate business summit is also on the agenda, focusing on practical economic collaborations, such as next-generation nuclear energy exports led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

The city’s successful bid to host APEC followed a competitive process against Incheon and Jeju Island. “Our historical significance and proactive local government efforts played a decisive role in our selection,” Joo said.

Gyeongju’s ancient cultural heritage is reflected in its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Bulguksa, Seokguram and the Gyeongju Historic Areas, which preserve the legacy of the ancient Silla Kingdom when Gyeongju served as its capital. In recognition of its growing international presence, the Culture Ministry designated the Bomun Tourist Complex as an International Conference Complex in 2023.

To bolster its global recognition ahead of the APEC Summit, Gyeongju will host the Pinnacle Awards and Asia Festival Cities Conference from March 18 to 21. Co-hosted by the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center and the International Festivals and Events Association's branch in Asia, the event will bring together over 200 participants from 15 countries, including Thailand, China, the Philippines, India and Malaysia. The conference will focus on sustainable festival models and fostering international collaborations.

“Gyeongju is a city where tradition and modernity coexist, offering the potential for cultural and economic growth,” Joo said. “I will maximize these strengths to develop Gyeongju into a global city that not only attracts visitors but makes them want to stay.”