South Korea is turning this year’s APEC Summit into a springboard for its largest-ever export campaign, aiming to broaden its trade base and reinforce momentum in strategic industries amid shifting global economic conditions.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) have launched the 2025 Export Boom Korea Week, a nationwide program running from October 15 to November 7. Timed with the APEC Leaders’ Meeting, the initiative brings together nearly 1,700 overseas buyers and 4,000 domestic firms for a series of trade fairs, investment forums, and export consultations.
Record Exports Despite Headwinds
Despite tariff-related setbacks in exports to the United States, South Korea’s overall trade performance has remained robust.
Exports from January to September reached 519.8 billion dollars, up 2.2 percent from the same period last year. September alone recorded 66 billion dollars, the highest monthly figure since March 2022, marking a 12.7 percent increase year-on-year.
Much of the momentum has come from newly emerging sectors such as defense, biotechnology, and consumer goods riding the wave of global interest in “K-products.” Exports of cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals each surpassed the 10-billion-dollar mark in 2024, while defense exports are expected to exceed 20 billion dollars this year.
Officials say this year’s Export Boom Korea Week is designed not just to sustain that growth but also to diversify export markets and product portfolios as global supply chains realign.
Tying Economic Diplomacy to the APEC Framework
The event is strategically linked to the 33rd APEC Summit, which gathers leaders from 21 economies that together account for half of global trade and 60 percent of world GDP.
The bloc is especially significant for South Korea, representing 76 percent of its exports and 68 percent of its imports last year.
To maximize the spillover effects of APEC-related gatherings, KOTRA has been hosting a series of investment and business events since September, including the Korea-APEC Business Partnership Forum and the Invest Korea Summit. Additional programs such as the APEC Member and Gyeongbuk Investment Forum and the APEC CEO Summit, organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry are expected to attract senior officials and corporate leaders throughout October.
From Seoul to the Provinces: Connecting Local Industry to Global Buyers
The campaign’s scale is unprecedented. Across the country, more than 10,000 business meetings will be held, connecting foreign and domestic companies in sectors ranging from AI-based ICT and advanced materials to infrastructure, defense, and services.
A series of thematic exhibitions, from K-culture and consumer goods showcases to “AI and Innovation Tech” pavilions, will highlight South Korea’s competitiveness in both traditional and next-generation industries.
The main export consultation event takes place on October 21–22 at KINTEX in Ilsan, accompanied by 28 linked regional exhibitions, including the Daegu Future Mobility Expo and the Busan International Maritime and Shipbuilding Exhibition.
Foreign buyers are encouraged to attend local expos as well, giving regional firms access to international markets and contributing to local economic revitalization.
A Global South Strategy for Trade Diversification
In a shift reflecting the global trade realignment, South Korea is focusing on the Global South to expand its export horizons.
Major companies from emerging and established markets have been invited, including BAE Systems (UK), General Motors, Rivian (US), Elavi (Africa), and RMK Marine (Türkiye). The outreach is seen as a direct response to U.S. trade measures that have challenged Korean exporters, positioning new partners as alternative growth drivers.
Complementing the B2B consultations, KOTRA operates 25 themed showcases and support pavilions, including a One-Stop Export Consulting Center, ESG seminar space, and anti-fraud awareness booths.
In cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization, the program also offers “Bleisure” packages—combining business with cultural experiences—inviting foreign executives to explore landmarks in North and South Gyeongsang, Jeonnam, and Chungbuk provinces.
Beyond Trade Talks: A Platform for Economic Cooperation
KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung described the event as “more than a trade fair,” emphasizing its role as a platform for international economic collaboration tied to APEC.
“By linking 28 regional exhibitions and creating momentum across the country, we aim to showcase Korea’s export capability to the world,” Kang said.
He added that the agency will continue promoting market and product diversification, focusing on Global South partners, K-consumer goods, and AI-driven industries to achieve record-breaking exports.
In essence, the 2025 Export Boom Korea Week represents South Korea’s attempt to turn a diplomatic gathering into a nationwide economic movement—blending trade promotion, industrial strategy, and regional revitalization in pursuit of a more balanced, resilient export economy.
