Industry minister visits venues for APEC biz events to check preparations

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan on Thursday visited the venues of business events to be held during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit later this year, Kim's office said. Kim visited the Gyeongju Arts Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where the APEC CEO Summit will be held from Oct. 28-31, and Hwarang Village, where the banquet dinner for the CEOs will take place, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The APEC CEO Summit, to be co-hosted by the industry ministry and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will bring together around 1,700 participants, including leaders of APEC member economies and global companies. On the sidelines of the event, Korea will also hold a future-tech forum to discuss the outlook of artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, defense and other key industries, as well as a K-tech exhibition showcasing cutting-edge technologies of Korean robotics and display companies. "The upcoming APEC business event will serve as a platform of opportunity and a springboard for Korean companies to demonstrate their strength," Ki