President Lee Jae Myung and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung hosted an elaborate welcome dinner for the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting on Friday, featuring a carefully curated menu inspired by Gyeongju's culinary traditions and a star-studded cultural performance. The prestigious banquet at the Lahan Select hotel brought together approximately 400 distinguished guests, including heads of state from all 21 APEC member economies, representatives from international organizations, and CEOs of major multinational corporations.
The presidential office described the official dinner as a meaningful showcase where Korean culture, advanced technology, and the nation's commitment to Asia-Pacific regional cooperation seamlessly connected. The event represented the culmination of a series of APEC official gatherings, with each carefully selected beverage—from sparkling nonalcoholic tea drinks to traditional Korean rice wines—demonstrating Korea's sophisticated approach to cultural diplomacy and international protocol.
The evening's menu was developed in collaboration with Korean American celebrity chef Edward Lee, who gained widespread recognition in Korea after appearing on Netflix's hit series "Culinary Class Wars." Working alongside Lotte Hotel, Chef Lee created a harmonious fusion of traditional Korean and Western culinary techniques. The presidential office emphasized that the menu prominently featured ingredients sourced from the host city of Gyeongju and the broader North Gyeongsang Province, maximizing the global promotional impact for Korean cuisine.
Traditional Korean dishes took center stage, including namul bibimbap (rice mixed with seasoned vegetables) and galbijjim (braised beef ribs), both prepared using locally sourced Gyeongju ingredients. The appetizer course featured an innovative combination of soft tofu and persimmon in a silky sauce, deliberately chosen to challenge common misconceptions about Korean food always being spicy. The dish also incorporated pine nuts and crab, symbolically representing the unity of Pacific Rim economies within the APEC framework.
For dessert, guests were served caramelized doenjang (fermented soybean paste) rice cakes with roasted soybean powder and roasted pine nut pies. These sweet treats were elegantly presented in traditional Korean mother-of-pearl boxes, which attendees could take home as commemorative souvenirs. The dessert selection highlighted Korea's ability to transform traditional ingredients into sophisticated culinary experiences suitable for international palates.
The official toast featured Horangi Draft Yuja (citron) Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine that secured first place in a competition organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in September specifically to select beverages for the APEC events. The careful beverage selection process reflected Korea's thoughtful consideration of diverse international tastes, religious dietary requirements, and the personal preferences of the attending world leaders.
Following dinner, guests enjoyed a cultural performance hosted by actor and singer Cha Eun-woo, who is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service in the Korean armed forces. The entertainment lineup featured an impressive array of performers, including K-pop superstar G-Dragon, renowned dancers Honey J and Leejung, and 11-year-old violin prodigy Kim Yu-na. The diverse performance roster showcased both established Korean cultural icons and emerging young talent.
Earlier in the week, President Lee hosted a special presidential dinner on Wednesday for visiting leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This dinner marked a historic first, as the Korean government offered a sparkling fermented tea drink from local brand Hyo House for the main toast instead of an alcoholic beverage—the first time Korea has used tea for such a significant international diplomatic occasion.
Thursday's banquet dinner featured a premium traditional Korean rice alcohol called "A Night Counting Stars in the Milky Way," produced by Balhyo Gongbang 1991, a specialized brewery located in Gyeonggi Province. This high-end makgeolli was crafted based on gamhyangju, a floral and aromatic style of traditional rice wine that emphasizes local brewing methods and historical significance. The selection demonstrated Korea's commitment to showcasing the sophistication and cultural depth of traditional Korean alcoholic beverages.
The APEC CEO Summit on Tuesday also highlighted North Gyeongsang Province's emerging wine industry, featuring two locally produced, award-winning wines as official toasting beverages. Ogyeri Winery's ice wine and white wines from WE Winery, both located in Yeongcheon near Gyeongju, were selected for the welcome dinner. These wines have gained international recognition, with Ogyeri's ice wine earning a gold medal at the prestigious Berlin Wine Trophy summer tasting in 2025, demonstrating Korea's growing reputation in global wine production.
Tuesday's dinner menu emphasized Korean traditional cuisine while incorporating local North Gyeongsang Province specialties, including premium hanwoo beef from Gyeongju and fresh East Sea abalone. The organizers also provided comprehensive halal and vegan meal options to accommodate diverse dietary requirements among international attendees. The dessert course featured iconic Gyeongju regional treats, particularly Hwangnam-ppang, a beloved local pastry filled with sweet red bean paste that has become synonymous with the ancient capital city's culinary identity.
