Nvidia’s Jensen Huang returns to Korea with AI vision for APEC summit

One of the most anticipated figures at the APEC CEO Summit is Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who is set to visit Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, this week, marking his first official trip to South Korea in 15 years. His visit is already generating significant buzz in the tech and investment sectors, given his track record of market-moving remarks on artificial intelligence and semiconductors, and Nvidia's position as the world's most valuable public company with a market capitalization of $4.5 tr

SoftBank chief to attend APEC amid AI alliance talks with Samsung

SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son is expected to make a high-profile appearance at this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, fueling speculation over potential behind-the-scenes meetings with global tech leaders, including Samsung Electronics Chair Lee Jae-yong. Although Son is not listed as an official speaker at headline events such as the APEC CEO Summit or the Future Tech Forum, industry sources say he is likely to attend exclusive dinners and informal gatherings held on the sidel

Indonesia’s Bakrie seeks green, digital partnerships at APEC summit

Bakrie & Brothers CEO Anindya Novyan Bakrie, who doubles as chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), will join global business and policy leaders at the APEC 2025 CEO Summit in Gyeongju this week, seeking new partnerships to accelerate Indonesia’s green and digital transformation. Bakrie heads Bakrie & Brothers, a listed conglomerate with businesses spanning infrastructure, electric vehicles, mining, oil and gas, renewable power, property and plantations. He is the he

Toshiaki Tokunaga steers Hitachi’s evolution from hardware to digital powerhouse

Hitachi CEO Toshiaki Tokunaga is leading Japan’s 115-year-old technology giant through a bold transformation, steering it from its traditional manufacturing roots toward a future centered on software, services and social innovation infrastructure. He will also join this year’s APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, where global business leaders will gather to discuss digital innovation and sustainable growth. Born in 1967, Tokunaga joined Hitachi early in his career in 1990 and rose through the ranks, par

Citigroup CEO to outline digital, sustainable growth vision at APEC 2025

Jane Fraser, chair of the board and CEO of Citigroup, will deliver a keynote speech titled “The Next Roadmap for the Global Economy” at the APEC 2025 CEO Summit on Friday. Her address will examine how financial connectivity, digital innovation and sustainable investment can serve as pillars of a more resilient and inclusive global economy. Fraser is expected to share her insights on the need for digital talent development, cross-border infrastructure investment and the expansion of ESG financing

Gyeongju ready to welcome the world as APEC week begins

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Streets hum with life, as tourists weave among centuries-old relics and low-lying hanok buildings, while volunteers rehearse final preparations. Once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju is alive with anticipation as it prepares to host one of the region’s major diplomatic events. This week, Gyeongju will take center stage for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Friday, marking South Korea’s second time in 20 years welcoming leaders

Gyeongju’s moment: Key developments to watch at APEC 2025

As South Korea welcomes leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, this week, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is shaping up to be more than just another economic gathering. With the United States, China, Japan and other regional powers in attendance, the forum is expected to move beyond economic dialogue and serve as a testing ground for strategic diplomacy among the world’s largest powers. For Seoul, the summit offers both an opportunity and

Hanwha champions ‘technology for peace’ at APEC defense forum

Hanwha Group doubled down on the role of Korean defense companies and their global partners in securing sovereign defense capabilities as the conglomerate’s three defense units — Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean — held a defense forum Monday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, as part of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2025. “We have to wisely and responsibly prepare for peace in today’s world where great changes are happening with the integration of artificial intelligenc

Kospi breaks 4,000 barrier — and aims higher

South Korea's benchmark topped the historic 4,000 point mark on Monday, extending a rally fueled by investor optimism over policy support aimed at boosting the equity market and narrowing the long-standing “Korea discount.” With this milestone, the market is now setting its sights on the next target: 5,000. The Kospi breached the 4,000 level for the first time, closing the session at an all-time high of 4,042.83. It gained 101.24 points, or 2.57 percent, from the previous session. After opening

SK Innovation leads LNG talks at APEC

SK Innovation said Monday it will host the “Asia-Pacific LNG Connect” session at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit 2025, taking place Friday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Organized in collaboration with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the session will bring together top executives from major energy firms across the region to discuss energy security, supply chain resilience and pathways to sustainable growth. Representing SK Group will be Senior Vice

Chaebol chiefs gear up for APEC week of deals, diplomacy

Top executives from South Korea’s leading conglomerates are gearing up for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation week in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where they will engage in global networking and economic diplomacy to secure investment and identify new business opportunities. The primary focus for the business community is the APEC CEO Summit, organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the nation's largest business lobby. Running from Tuesday to Friday, the event will bri

HD Hyundai chief calls for global alliance in shipbuilding innovation

HD Hyundai Chair Chung Ki-sun highlighted the importance of innovation and closer alliance for the sustainable future of the shipbuilding industry, as the Korean shipbuilding conglomerate held the first official session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2025 summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday. “The rapid advancement of AI technology has had a tremendous impact on other key fronts of our innovation — the sustainability of our ships and the digital manufacturing cycle,” h

Samsung's next fold: Three ways

Samsung Electronics is poised to unveil its first tri-fold smartphone this week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in a bold push to reshape mobile design and reinforce its dominance in next-generation foldables. The device is slated for mass production, set to hit the shelves later this year, marking a major milestone in its foldable evolution, according to industry sources on Monday. The tri-fold smartphone introduces an entirely new form fa

‘Pure Heart’ dance drama brings Korean folktale on grand scale

The National Jeongdong Theater's Korean dance drama, “Pure Heart,” will travel to Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province this week to mark the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Premiered earlier this year as part of the Seoul-based theater’s 30th anniversary celebration, “Pure Heart” has been invited as an official APEC cultural program, offering international audiences a glimpse into one of the country’s most well-known folktales and the artistry of traditional Korean performance. The cr

Protests against China, Trump spur tighter APEC security

South Korean authorities are ramping up security in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, to the highest level as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit nears, with large-scale anti-China and anti-Trump protests scheduled during the event. According to police officials, a total of 16 protest notifications have been filed by 13 organizations in Gyeongju for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, which runs from Monday to Saturday. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set