Gyeongju APEC summit proves cultural grand slam for Korea

The successful APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, transformed the historic capital of Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.) into a global diplomatic stage. Over the last week, 21 APEC member economies gathered not only to discuss pressing economic matters, but to experience Korea’s powerful blend of ancient heritage and soft power, positioned now as a crucial asset in international diplomacy. The APEC summit's greatest asset was its setting. By holding the meeting in the city often called a living museum, instead of a modern capital, Korea powerfully declared the depth and relevance of its heritage. The city’s long history and cultural sites were not passive scenery, but instead served as a powerful language, communicating and promoting Korea’s core diplomatic message of harmony and tradition to APEC members in attendance. To better show how the country blended past and future, Gyeongju's historical sites such as Daereungwon royal tomb complex were used for spectacular media art shows, seamlessly merging 1,000-year-old heritage with digital technoloWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times