Culture and Courtesy Are Also Economics: The Real Strength Korea Showed at APEC 2025 in Gyeongju

The APEC Summit was held this year in Gyeongju. Many people think of it as a diplomatic ceremony, but from an economic perspective APEC is a place where the future rules of the global economy are previewed and shaped. For a country like Korea that relies heavily on trade, this platform is extremely important. It is not about simply following the global flow. It is about becoming a country that participates in setting the rules.

Why was this APEC important for Korea

The Korean economy reacts very sensitively to the direction of global demand and shifts in supply chains. Since many of Korea’s major export markets are APEC countries, the direction set inside this group will influence Korea’s growth path. The Gyeongju APEC showed that Korea is not just following discussion but joining as a country that can help shape it. Economic stability does not only come from domestic policy. It also comes from securing the direction of our external connections.

Korea sent a message simply through the way it welcomed guests

The message Korea sent was simple but powerful. “We are a country of courtesy, and a country that speaks through culture and technology.”

This message reached every participating country, including President Trump of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China.

Welcoming Trump: YMCA, red carpet, and the golden crown

When Trump arrived in Korea, there was a red carpet, military honor guards and a formal salute of 21 ceremonial gun firings. Korea gives this level of treatment only to show the highest respect for a visiting head of state.

The entrance music was YMCA, a song Trump uses often in his political events and even dances to publicly. Korea prepared this so he could feel welcomed and relaxed. The gift also carried meaning. Korea presented Trump with a golden crown modeled after the Silla crown, and gave him the highest Korean state decoration. This symbolized that Korea values the relationship very seriously.

Respect for China: Xi’s first visit in 11 years, the Go board, and friendly humor

President Xi visited Korea for the first time in 11 years. Korea prepared the same highest level of courtesy for China as well. There were honor guards, formal ceremonies, and a grand dinner.

Korea gifted a traditional Go board and mother of pearl tray to Xi, since he is known to enjoy the game of Go. Xi gifted a Xiaomi smartphone to the Korean side, and at that moment there was a short humorous exchange. When President Lee asked jokingly whether the phone had safe communication, Xi replied that they could check for a backdoor themselves. Even a sensitive security topic was handled with humor and comfort.

Korea clearly showed that it respects both the United States and China in the same warm and refined tone.

One stage combining culture and technology: robots, violin, and Kpop

The performances also delivered a message. Robot dogs danced to violin music in the welcome dinner, showing the world that traditional culture and cutting edge technology can exist together naturally in Korea.

Kpop artists also participated in the APEC promotional videos and performances without receiving payment. This showed that Korean cultural power is not just entertainment. It is also a national strength that supports diplomacy.

My Insight

In this Gyeongju APEC, Korea touched hearts with YMCA and a golden crown for Trump, and with a Go board and respectful protocol for Xi. Korea balanced both sides with dignity and warmth. I believe this is not just courtesy. This is trust building, which is necessary for future economic cooperation. Without trust, digital trade and supply chain cooperation will not move forward.

Especially for Korea and China, relations have been cold for a long time after the THAAD conflict. But China is the closest neighbor and cannot simply be ignored. The fact that Xi came after 11 years is meaningful. And when Park Jinyoung, who was appointed by President Lee as Special Envoy for International Cultural Exchange, asked Xi directly for more cultural exchange opportunities, Xi responded positively. I think this could be a small but important starting point for reopening communication.

I hope that this APEC becomes a turning point where cooperation with China grows again, not conflict. Economics is not driven only by money. Invisible things like trust, conversation, and cultural exchange build future growth. Gyeongju proved that Korea is a country capable of connecting courtesy, culture, and technology to communicate with the world.

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