The 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Gyeongju has emerged as a defining milestone in South Korea’s diplomatic trajectory.

Under the slogan “Connect, Innovate, Prosper,” the summit underscored Korea’s multifaceted leadership that blends security, economy, technology, and culture.

Korea–U.S. Summit: Nuclear Submarine Approval Symbolizes Security–Industry Integration

President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump reached a landmark agreement during their bilateral summit, as Washington officially approved the transfer of nuclear-powered submarine construction and fuel supply technology to Seoul.

The move, highly unusual for a non-nuclear state, symbolizes the consolidation of South Korea’s strategic autonomy and the industrial–security alignment within the Korea–U.S. alliance.

The two leaders also concluded a $350 billion investment and tariff package.

The deal includes $200 billion in phased cash investments with an annual cap of $20 billion to minimize currency market disruptions, and $150 billion allocated to the MASGA shipbuilding project, combining Korea’s shipbuilding technology with America’s industrial revitalization goals.

Auto tariffs were cut from 25% to 15%, while semiconductor and agricultural trade imbalances were also addressed.

Korea–China Summit: Restoring Strategic Balance

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Korea — his first in eleven years — marked a turning point in bilateral relations.

The summit produced an agreement to stabilize the Strategic Cooperative Partnership, advancing cooperation in trade, culture, and human exchange, as well as laying the groundwork for renewed dialogue with North Korea.

President Lee emphasized that “the substance of the relationship matters more than its appearance,” signaling Seoul’s intent to reopen working-level dialogue channels.

The meeting was widely viewed as the first step toward genuine normalization of Korea–China ties beyond symbolic gestures.

Nvidia Partnership Positions Korea as Asia’s AI Hub

U.S. semiconductor giant Nvidia signed an agreement with Samsung, SK Group, Hyundai Motor, and the Korean government to supply 260,000 Blackwell-series AI chips, marking the largest GPU supply project in Asia.

The deal serves as a cornerstone for Korea’s National AI Computing Center and its expanding network of private-sector AI factories.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised Korea as “one of the world’s most dynamic partners capable of merging hardware, software, and robotics,” highlighting the country’s blend of innovation and creative energy in shaping the AI ecosystem.

K-Tech Diplomacy: G-Dragon and Robot Performance Captivate Global Media

The cultural segment of APEC Gyeongju captivated audiences worldwide with a unique fusion of art and advanced technology.

At the opening reception, pop icon G-Dragon performed “Future Roots” alongside Korea’s robotic dog Hound-X, delivering a synchronized robotic dance performance.

The spectacle symbolized the convergence of AI, robotics, and K-pop — showcasing Korea’s transformation from traditional cultural diplomacy to tech-driven cultural innovation.

Foreign media described it as “a performance where technology moved emotions,” praising Korea for redefining global soft power through cultural and technological fusion.

Resilient Supply Chains and Inclusive Growth

The 2025 APEC Gyeongju Declaration presented a joint vision for revitalizing trade and investment, strengthening supply-chain resilience, and advancing inclusive growth based on AI and demographic cooperation frameworks.

Member economies reaffirmed their commitment to practical, multilateral cooperation amid rising protectionism and global uncertainty.

Through this summit, Korea successfully positioned itself as a “smart power” that integrates economic, technological, and cultural strength — transforming APEC into a new platform for regional collaboration.