North Gyeongsang renames Gyeongju expo park, opens APEC summit memorial hall on 1st anniversary

North Gyeongsang Province has launched a series of projects to commemorate the historic achievements of the 2025 Gyeongju APEC Summit and pass its legacy on to future generations, marking the one-year anniversary of the event.

The province held a renaming ceremony for the APEC Memorial Park — formerly Gyeongju Expo Grand Park — and an opening ceremony for the APEC Summit Memorial Hall at the site on Saturday.

Held under the theme "Gyeongju APEC: Beyond Memory into Record, Beyond Value into the Future," the event was attended by North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, National Assembly member Kim Seok-gi, Gyeongju Mayor Ju Nak-young and other dignitaries, as well as representatives from the Chilean Embassy and the Russian Consulate General in Busan.

The newly opened APEC Summit Memorial Hall features replica spaces of the actual summit venue and the bilateral meeting rooms used for the South Korea-US and South Korea-China summits, along with a retrospective photo exhibition and multimedia content.

The hall is designed to give visitors a comprehensive look at the summit's preparation process, key events and outcomes in one place.

North Gyeongsang Province plans to use the memorial hall as a history and cultural education space to teach younger generations, including students, about the importance of international cooperation.

The renamed APEC Memorial Park will be developed as a hub for international cultural exchange and tourism, combining Gyeongju's cultural and artistic assets with the city's experience hosting the summit to convey the value of international exchange to domestic and foreign tourists.

A range of anniversary events also took place. An international student festival called "APEC International Student Smile Festa" and a retrospective photo exhibition were held, while the Bomun area hosted the "2026 Bomun Night Run," along with APEC memorial photo zones and a stamp tour.

North Gyeongsang Province is also restructuring its post-APEC initiatives with a focus on priority projects. Plans include securing national government funding for the World Gyeongju Forum and making it a regular event, constructing a planned APEC Diplomatic Culture Center, and stepping up efforts to boost the international conference and exhibition convention industry and attract major international events.

"We will develop the historical legacy and international standing left by the summit into a future growth engine, nurturing Gyeongju into a leading cultural tourism and international conference city that draws visitors from around the world," Governor Lee said.