The plenary session of the APEC High-Level Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs), chaired by Minister CHAE Hwi-young of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) of the Republic of Korea, concluded on August 27, 2025, as a resounding success.

The plenary session was held in Gyeongju under the theme, “Cultural and Creative Industries: New Horizons for Prosperity.” This inaugural dialogue saw robust attendance from high-level policymakers, including Minister Toshiko Abe of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Minister Carolina Arredondo of Chile’s Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage; Minister Fadli Zon of Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture; Minister Thiong King Sing of Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; and Minister Fabricio Valencia of Peru’s Ministry of Culture, underscoring the growing global recognition of the cultural sector’s economic importance.

APEC reaffirming cultural industries as a new engine for economic growth

The plenary session explored the future of cultural industries through three sub-sessions aligned with APEC’s key themes: “Connect,” “Innovate,” and “Prosper.”

The first session, “Connect: CCIs as a New Catalyst for Economic Cooperation within APEC,” reaffirmed that cultural and creative industries are a vital growth engine for APEC and explored opportunities to drive regional economic expansion. Cultural and creative industries have been established as core industries that drive major macroeconomic indicators such as economic growth and job creation, expanding far beyond the expression of nations’ cultural identities. Reflecting this, MCST highlighted Korea’s cultural industry promotion policies, emphasizing that the influence of cultural content extends into sectors like beauty, food, tourism, fashion, IT, and automotive.

The second session, “Innovate: Developments in CCIs Driven by Digital and AI Innovation,” explored the transformative impact of digital technology and AI across all stages of the cultural and creative industries. The session featured cases of actively pursuing research and investment to drive economic development through cultural and creative businesses in an environment where challenges and opportunities coexist.

In the final session, “Prosper: Advancing a Harmonious Asia-Pacific Community through CCIs,” Yves Daccord, Founder of Edgelands Institute, delivered the keynote address, and member economies discussed practical cooperation measures, including sharing best practices and exchanging educational and training programs.

A key highlight was the adoption of a joint statement, which concluded the plenary session. The joint statement underscores a shared recognition of the economic importance of cultural and creative industries and commits to promoting innovation in creation and distribution through digital and AI technology and establishing a sustainable cooperation framework built on respect for cultural diversity.

Showcasing the depth and dynamism of Korea’s cultural and creative industries: Museum goods exhibited amid the “K-Pop Demon Hunters” phenomenon, Park Jin-young of JYP Entertainment delivering a presentation

The welcome dinner at Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art, held on August 26, on the eve of the plenary session, offered a compelling showcase of Korea’s cultural depth and dynamism. The banquet also featured an exhibition of more than 40 MU:DS items (museum goods) curated by the National Museum Cultural Foundation, including the popular magpie and tiger badges, which recently captured global attention amid the “K-Pop Demon Hunters” craze.

The banquet space was entirely adorned in shades of jasaek (burgundy). This choice, befitting the occasion of the high-level dialogue, drew inspiration from the hue once reserved for the official robes of bureaucrats of the Shilla dynasty, weaving an additional layer of historical narrative into the evening. The banquet performance, directed by Production Designer Jeong Gu-ho, brought together Choreographer Lee Ruda, Vocalist Chu Da Hye, and Cellist Ji Bark, who presented a performance that reimagined tradition through a contemporary lens. The banquet cuisine also commanded attention. It highlighted the culinary excellence of Gyeongbuk and Gyeongju, featuring regional specialties such as Agastache leaves—a celebrated aromatic herb of Gyeongsang Province, Gyeongju Millennium Hanwoo beef, and chocolate crafted in the shape of the “Smile of Silla” facial-patterned roof tiles. Traditional liquors emblematic of Gyeongju, “Gyodong Beopju” and “Daemongjae,” were served for the toast. Chief delegates were also presented with special gifts: a hanbok jacket [Tchai Kim (Kim Young Jin)], dyed in layered shades of indigo to evoke the Pacific Ocean’s vast blue waters, and a silk scarf [LEESLE (Leesle Hwang)], embroidered with the motif of the painting “Cheonmado.”

Before the banquet commenced, CCO Park Jin-young of JYP Entertainment made a surprise appearance on stage. As a singer, creator, and entrepreneur, he shared vivid stories of K-pop’s global rise and his firsthand experiences at its center. CEO Lee Jae-sang of HYBE, CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk of SM Entertainment, CEO Yang Min-seok of YG Entertainment, CEO Jung Wook of JYP Entertainment, Vice President Kim Jung-han of CJ ENM, and other prominent business leaders representing K-content, as well as MP Jaewon Kim of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee and APEC Special Committee, also joined the dinner, engaging in in-depth discussions with the chief delegates of member economies.

Minister CHAE stated, “This inaugural APEC High-Level Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries is of historic significance, as it marks the first time in APEC history that the cultural sector has been elevated to a central agenda for economic cooperation. It moved beyond agenda-specific discussions in the plenary session to vividly demonstrate both the boundless potential of cultural content and the capabilities of Korea’s cultural and creative industries to APEC member economies.” He added, “Building upon this achievement, we will continue to pursue sustained cooperation with APEC member economies through cultural and creative industries.”