Rapid Reaction: APEC South Korea 2025

November 3, 2025 - Join us for a rapid reaction analysis of The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) 2025 summit, held in Gyeongju, South Korea from October 31 to November 1. Our discussion examines all the most significant outcomes in terms of trade and geopolitics, with special emphasis on the US, Korea, and the US-Korea relationship. The priorities for this year's forum are: "Connect, Innovate, Prosper." In a preparatory meeting, senior officials from APEC members discussed "strategies for digital economy integration, public health cooperation, and strengthening APEC's role as an incubator of practical, consensus-driven solutions." As host nation, Korea's initiatives include: "addressing demographic change and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology." We are joined by Kate Kalutkiewicz, Senior Managing Director of the Trade Practice & McLarty Inbound at McLarty Associates, Professor Jaemin Lee, Professor of Law at Seoul National University and Dean of the School of Law, and Scott Jacobs, Head of Global Public Policy at Coupang. The conversation will be moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado and policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre. This program is made possible by the generous support of our individual and corporate members and the Korea Foundation. APEC originated as a ministerial meeting of 12 Asian Pacific countries in 1989. The idea for the forum was proposed by Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke during a trip to Seoul in January 1989. A leaders' summit was introduced in 1993 and a series of expansions increased the number of members to 21. South Korea previously hosted the ministerial meeting in Seoul 1991 and the leaders' meeting in Busan 2005. APEC's mission is to "support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region." This program is co-hosted by The APEC Study Center at Columbia University.

For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/2052-rapid-reaction-apec-south-korea-2025