Gyeongju Prepares for APEC 2025 With Silla Treasures, Global Trade Talks and New Discoveries

Ancient royal tombs meet a modern diplomatic gathering

More than 20,000 delegates, business executives and journalists are expected in Gyeongju as South Korea prepares to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting on October 31 and November 1, 2025. The gathering will bring global economic diplomacy to a former royal capital where tomb mounds, palace ruins, temple complexes and stone Buddhas remain part of everyday life.

Gyeongju, known in antiquity as Seorabeol, served as the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years. Set within a protective basin, it is often called a museum without walls. Presidents and prime ministers will arrive in a city where much of the historical landscape can be encountered outdoors, rather than behind museum glass.

South Korea's theme for the summit is "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper." Discussions will address trade, digital frameworks and sustainable growth, while cultural events will connect meeting rooms with royal parkland, traditional performances and media art projected across ancient tombs.

The choice of Gyeongju brings together two ambitions: managing urgent economic discussions and showing how Korea preserves its cultural memory while developing modern venues and visitor services. It also reflects an effort to hold major international events beyond the country's largest cities.

South Korea last hosted APEC in Busan in 2005. Its second turn as host brings together 21 member economies for a week that includes senior officials' sessions, ministerial meetings, a CEO summit and the leaders' gathering. Preparations now extend from the Hwabaek International Convention Centre to hospitals, hotels, lakeside roads and archaeological sites.

Trade tensions shape the summit agenda

APEC is a forum for voluntary economic cooperation. Its members pursue growth through easier trade and investment, shared standards and joint projects involving areas such as digital connectivity and climate action. The host theme links those efforts to sustainability, innovation and connections across borders.

Seoul is working to arrange state visits by US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping around the summit. Officials say a possible meeting between the two leaders, previously floated for the sidelines, remains under review. The proposed visits would take place back to back, placing Gyeongju at the center of diplomacy involving the world's largest economies.

Trade friction between Washington and Beijing adds urgency to the gathering. South Korea and the United States are also pushing to conclude negotiations involving a 25 percent reciprocal tariff and a large investment package. A tariff is a tax on imported goods, making these talks directly relevant to the cost of trade.

North Korea will not attend. Much of the attention will fall on meetings among the largest economies and the effects their decisions could have on other members. Even without a major breakthrough, the schedule brings partners into the same rooms at a delicate moment.

A capital shaped by rulers, religion and science

Silla governed from Gyeongju from 57 BCE to 935 CE. During the Unified Silla era, historians estimate that the city had close to one million residents, placing it among the world's largest cities at the time. Its surviving monuments recall Athens and Rome, where sacred buildings and royal remains still help define the urban landscape.

Queen Seondeok, the first female sovereign on the Korean Peninsula, ruled from 632 to 647. She championed works including Bunhwangsa Temple and Cheomseongdae, the stone tower used to observe the sky. Her reign connects the city's political history with its religious and scientific achievements.

King Munmu, who ruled from 661 to 681, is remembered for completing the unification of Silla, Baekje and Goguryeo and resisting the Tang dynasty. Silla's rule ended in 935, when its last monarch, King Gyeongsun, yielded to the rising Goryeo Dynasty.

Buddhism shaped Silla's art and city planning. Mount Nam's slopes contain stone carvings and temple remains, while Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto survive as places of worship and masterpieces of stonework and geometry. Monks including Uisang, who lived from 625 to 702, developed schools of thought that influenced ritual, architecture and education.

The Gyeongju Historic Areas entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. The city's broader heritage landscape includes Bulguksa, Seokguram and Cheomseongdae, bringing together evidence of faith, government, artistic skill and scientific observation.

Preservation carries a complicated history

Japanese colonial rule brought expanded archaeological excavations and Gyeongju's first museum in the early twentieth century. Research increased knowledge of Silla graves and artifacts, while colonial authorities also used heritage to support their political narrative. Excavation was therefore part of both historical discovery and the exercise of power.

In 1926, Japan hosted Sweden's Crown Prince Gustav VI Adolf, an archaeology enthusiast, at Seobongchong Tomb. The visit was staged to win favor and brought Gyeongju's antiquities before European eyes.

Japanese writer Kazue Morisaki later recalled her childhood in Gyeongju in the essay collection "Gyeongju Is the Sound of Mother Calling." Her memories described a small city where tombs and statues shaped daily life even under colonial rule.

After liberation in 1945, Korea reframed Gyeongju as a foundation of national identity and a destination for tourism. The Bomun tourist complex was developed beside Bomun Lake in the 1970s. Following UNESCO inscription in 2000, city and national agencies invested in preservation, signs and access so that the outdoor sites could be studied and visited while retaining their integrity.

A newly examined tomb reveals military life

Archaeologists have recently confirmed a wooden chamber tomb beneath the Hwangnam-dong No. 120 mound, in the heart of Gyeongju's royal tomb district. Inside were the remains of a man believed to have been a Silla commander or noble, buried with a sword, armor covering his entire body and a helmet.

Preliminary analysis suggests that the man died in his early thirties. Nearby lay the skeleton of an attendant, likely buried through retainer sacrifice, the practice of killing an attendant to accompany a person in death.

Armor and protective equipment for a horse were also preserved. This is only the second discovery of horse armor in a Silla tomb, adding an unusually rare piece of evidence to the study of the kingdom's military organization.

Fragments of a gilt bronze crown emerged from the burial layer and may be the oldest Silla example yet found. Gilt bronze is bronze covered with a thin layer of gold. Decorative details suggest exchanges with neighboring cultures, including motifs resembling Goguryeo designs.

The burial combines features that document a change in Silla funerary practice, from simple wooden coffins to more complex tombs built with stone and earth. Its contents connect military equipment, elite status, artistic exchange and changing burial customs in a single site.

The excavation site will open to visitors during APEC week, and key relics will be displayed in Gyeongju at the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. Officials want delegates and travelers to encounter this new evidence of Silla's military organization and art during their visit.

Traditional performers fill the summit calendar

Seorabeol Pungnyu, a series backed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation, has filled weekends in September and October with traditional arts. Performances take place in Gyochon Traditional Village and Yukbuchon, a hanok district that houses the nation's first international convention space. Hanok refers to traditional Korean architecture.

The program includes 37 shows by 31 groups and around 700 performers. Music, dance, theater and creative gugak, or Korean traditional music, feature in the lineup. These events give visiting audiences direct encounters with artistic traditions connected to the city.

In the final stretch before APEC, national ensembles including the National Gugak Center and Gyeonggi Sinawi Orchestra perform on a stage near Cheomseongdae. The Jeongdong Theater Arts Group will present "Pure Heart" at Gyeongju Expo Grand Park from October 31 to November 4.

On October 31, the APEC Music Festa at Bomun Lake will bring together female artists from economies across APEC. Its program combines solo appearances and collaborative performances, placing international artists within the city's summit celebrations.

Tomb parks, films and crafts open culture to visitors

A new media art exhibition at Daereungwon tomb park projects light and color over royal mounds through mid November. During the event, visitors can enter Cheonmachong Tomb free of charge and join activities including caricature drawing, stamp tours and lantern making.

Gyeongju has organized 11 themed itineraries covering 20 heritage and nature sites. Options range from visits lasting half a day to evening outings and routes taking a full day, allowing summit guests to explore beyond their meeting venues.

The APEC AI XR Alley Cinema will screen selections from a regional film festival in cafes and on public walls around Hwangridan and Expo Park. The films combine artificial intelligence and extended reality with storytelling. Extended reality refers to digital experiences that combine or replace parts of the physical environment.

During summit week, the Five Hans Experiences at Gyeongju Arts Center will introduce hanbok, traditional clothing; hangeul, the Korean alphabet; hanji, paper; hanok, architecture; and hansik, cuisine. A Cross Culture Festival will present traditional and fusion Korean music alongside folk arts from other APEC members.

A fashion show at Woljeong Bridge will display modern hanbok designs against a backdrop in the Silla style. Across the cultural program, shared experiences help explain terms such as hwarang, the Silla youth elites, gugak and hanbok. Digital art also provides a way to interpret ancient heritage while keeping the original sites at the center of the experience.

Cheomseongdae becomes a canvas for the night sky

Cheomseongdae, often described as one of Asia's oldest surviving astronomical observatories, is hosting a nighttime projection show titled "Time of the Stars." Scenes show an ancient observer climbing to watch the sky, while images of the Milky Way, meteor showers and comets spread across the stone tower from its base to its capstone.

The program draws on Korea's scientific record, including imagery from a Joseon period celestial chart mapping 1,467 stars and the 28 constellations used in East Asia. It connects the ancient observatory with later efforts to record and understand the heavens.

The four guardian animals associated with the cardinal directions appear in sequence: the Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise. These images form part of the show's account of the sky and its place in cultural tradition.

The free public show runs nightly through November 1. Organizers say they may continue it beyond the summit if audiences respond strongly.

Hotels, transport and hospitals prepare for arrivals

The Hwabaek International Convention Centre has been expanded and modernized to anchor ministerial and leaders' sessions. Its name comes from a Silla council of nobles, connecting the principal modern meeting venue with the city's political past.

Hotels at the Bomun tourist complex display signs such as APEC Partner Accommodation and have added bilingual menus. Roads have been repaved, security fencing installed and golden lighting placed along lakeside streets.

The province has invested billions of won in lighting and sculptures. Among them is a monument measuring 15 meters, inspired by the legend of King Hyeokgeose hatching from an egg. Staff are testing translation devices, kitchens preparing halal food and shuttle systems using QR codes.

Prime Minister Kim Min seok has treated preparations as a test of national prestige. His office has directed ministries to prevent discomfort for visitors and curb xenophobic rallies that could damage the event. He has visited Gyeongju several times to inspect hospitals, police detachments and the convention site.

A remodeled emergency medical wing is ready with 333 staff members, five air ambulances and 29 partner hospitals on call. In an October address about Hangeul, Kim also promised to expand King Sejong Institutes worldwide.

Kim, speaking as prime minister, has described the summit as an occasion for the country to present its identity:

APEC is not merely a diplomatic event, but a chance to show who we are as a nation.

Building around a city with history underground

Gyeongju officials describe authenticity, rather than a skyline, as the city's strength. Strict building codes prevent high rise construction, and excavation can trigger archaeological review. Preparing a site for modern use also means considering what may lie beneath it.

APEC improvements, including parking lots and public squares, are defined and modest by design. The approach aims to preserve the atmosphere that attracts visitors while protecting buried heritage.

Residents often use a familiar saying to describe life among so many archaeological remains:

You cannot dig in your own yard in Gyeongju, or you will find artifacts.

The saying captures a practical feature of living in an open museum. Homes, roads and visitor facilities occupy the same city as the remains of an ancient capital, making preservation part of everyday planning.

Economic hopes extend beyond summit week

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry projects that APEC 2025 could generate around 7.4 trillion won, roughly US$5.2 billion, for Gyeongju and the surrounding region. The estimate places a large economic expectation alongside the diplomatic and cultural preparations.

Beyond spending during the event, the summit raises Gyeongju's international profile and may help secure future gatherings involving senior officials in nearby centers such as Pohang or Daegu. Gyeongju is also continuing to develop as a destination for meetings and events.

The convention centre is supported by venues including Gyeongju National Museum, Expo Park and Hwangnyongwon. Sono Calm Gyeongju, newly rebranded and upgraded from Sono Belle, offers a presidential suite, banquet halls, seminar rooms and a spa. Its location also provides a base for cultural excursions.

Delegates can combine meetings with activities such as wearing hanbok, taking craft classes and joining temple stays for quiet reflection. Team workshops can include these experiences, while the Bomun area supports cycling and boating.

Such activities connect visiting executives, students and journalists with local artisans and monastics and bring spending to small businesses. For Gyeongju, the summit's practical legacy could therefore include both future conference bookings and more visitors exploring the city beyond its meeting halls.

Dates for the gathering and its cultural events

Gyeongju's preparations bring together events that began before the leaders arrive and programs continuing after they leave. As of October 24, the main dates are:

• September and October: Seorabeol Pungnyu presents weekend performances in Gyochon Traditional Village and Yukbuchon.
• October 31: The APEC Music Festa takes place at Bomun Lake.
• October 31 to November 1: Gyeongju hosts the APEC Leaders' Meeting.
• October 31 to November 4: The Jeongdong Theater Arts Group presents "Pure Heart" at Gyeongju Expo Grand Park.
• Through November 1: Cheomseongdae's free "Time of the Stars" projection show runs nightly.
• Through mid November: The Daereungwon media art exhibition continues.

During APEC week, visitors will also be able to enter the newly examined tomb site and take part in the Five Hans Experiences. The schedule gives delegates and travelers opportunities to encounter both established landmarks and fresh archaeological discoveries.

What to Know

• The APEC Leaders' Meeting takes place in Gyeongju on October 31 and November 1, 2025.
• The forum brings together 21 member economies, with more than 20,000 participants expected across the gathering.
• South Korea's theme is "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper."
• Gyeongju was Silla's capital for nearly a thousand years; its Historic Areas received UNESCO recognition in 2000.
• The Hwangnam-dong No. 120 tomb contains human remains, military equipment, horse armor and gilt bronze crown fragments.
• Cultural events include traditional performances, films, craft experiences and projections at Daereungwon and Cheomseongdae.
• Preparations include venue upgrades and medical readiness involving 333 staff, five air ambulances and 29 partner hospitals.
• Trade talks and proposed state visits by the US and Chinese presidents form part of the diplomatic preparations.
• The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry projects around 7.4 trillion won in economic gains for Gyeongju and the surrounding region.
• Building restrictions and archaeological reviews remain central to protecting the city's heritage.