Yoon to Attend APEC Summit from 15th to 17th... "Strengthening Global Responsible Diplomacy" (Update)

Attended Economic Events Including CEO Summit and Investment Reporting Ceremony

President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in San Francisco, USA, from the 15th to the 17th.

Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, announced President Yoon's APEC Summit attendance schedule during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 8th. First Lady Kim Geon-hee will also accompany him on this trip.

APEC is the world's largest regional cooperation organization discussing economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for 60% of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 48% of trade volume. South Korea led the launch of APEC in 1989 and will serve as the chair country in 2025.

On the 15th (local time), President Yoon will arrive in San Francisco and attend a meeting with overseas Koreans, the APEC CEO Summit, an investment declaration ceremony, a welcome reception hosted by the host country, and a dialogue with the Korean future generation in the advanced technology sector.

The APEC CEO Summit is a side event of the APEC Summit, a business forum hosted by the U.S. economic organizations as the chair country. This year's summit, held under the themes of sustainability, inclusiveness, resilience, and innovation, is expected to be attended by about 1,200 global business leaders and scholars. President Yoon will be the first Korean leader in 10 years to attend in person and is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on strengthening connectivity within APEC.

President Yoon will also attend the investment declaration ceremony to encourage advanced industry companies that have decided to invest in South Korea. Economic Chief Secretary Choi Sang-mok explained at the presidential office briefing that this is "the fifth investment declaration ceremony held during this trip, following those in New York, Davos, Washington DC, and Paris."

Regarding the dialogue with the Korean-American future generation, Chief Secretary Choi introduced, "President Yoon plans to listen to the opinions of about 100 Korean-American young scientists, technologists, and digital entrepreneurs on joint research aiming for world-class excellence and the activation of global expansion of domestic digital companies."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the following day, the 16th, President Yoon will attend the first session of the APEC Summit titled "Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All," emphasizing the transition to clean energy, overcoming the climate crisis, South Korea's contributions, and solidarity measures among APEC member countries. His next schedule includes a dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council and attendance at the leaders' dinner.

The APEC Business Advisory Council is the official private advisory body within APEC, established in 1995 to listen to the opinions of businesspeople in the Asia-Pacific region and reflect them in APEC discussions. It consists of three business leaders appointed by each member country's leader. South Korea's representatives include Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; Sung Sang-yeop, Chairman of the Korea Venture Business Association; and Lee Hyung-hee, Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On the final day, the morning of the 17th, President Yoon will attend the second session of the summit in a "retreat" format. A retreat meeting means exchanging opinions freely without formal constraints. This meeting will discuss cooperation measures to build an inclusive and resilient economy. President Yoon will particularly explain restoring the multilateral trade system amid the global complex crisis, strengthening regional supply chains, digital ethics standards, and South Korea's role.

Through this APEC diplomacy, President Yoon plans to strengthen global responsible diplomacy. Previously, through attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), G20, and United Nations General Assembly, he emphasized South Korea's responsibility and role in contributing to global freedom, peace, and prosperity.

At this summit, President Yoon will present South Korea's climate change leadership in the Asia-Pacific region, including cooperation on clean energy transition, carbon-neutral energy collaboration among member countries, and support efforts for climate-vulnerable countries in the region.

He will also emphasize the necessity of restoring the multilateral trade system at this global economic turning point, strengthening supply chain connectivity, establishing digital ethics standards, and declare his intention to lead solidarity and cooperation.

Deputy Director Kim stated, "President Yoon's attendance at APEC will enhance South Korea's status as a responsible and contributing country in regional and global issues and serve as an opportunity to deepen cooperation with the world's largest cooperation organization."

Regarding the possibility of South Korea-China and U.S.-China summit meetings during the APEC Summit, a presidential office official said, "Discussions about the U.S.-China meeting are ongoing, but there has been no official announcement yet, and South Korea is also discussing several summit meetings. At this point, it is not the stage to say with which countries and how many summit meetings will take place."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.