APEC Summit Highlightsโข Cultural Exchange as Diplomacy โUnfolds in South Korea
GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA – The recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Koreaโ wasn’t solely focused on trade and economic policy; it also provided a stage for notable cultural exchanges that capturedโ global attention, blendingโข diplomatic protocol with โpopular Korean trends. From gold-themed gestures to โคa spotlight on K-beauty and the nation’s culinary staples, the summit offered โa unique glimpse into Korean culture’s growing influence on the international stage.
the summit’s cultural moments underscored South Korea’s strategic efforts to leverage its “soft power” – its cultural appeal – alongside its economic and technological advancements. These interactions, while seemingly minor, reflect a โฃbroader trend of cultural diplomacy becoming increasinglyโ vitalโ in international relations, fostering goodwill and โฃstrengthening tiesโ between nations.
President Lee Jae Myung catered to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s known affinity for gold, โฃpresenting him with a gold tie and a gold-themed dessert. The gesture, however, sparked criticism within the United States, with protesters decrying what they perceived as a “king-like” displayโฃ andโฃ social mediaโ users circulatingโ memes mocking the presentation.
Beyond the โฃgilded gestures, the summit โฃalso showcased South Korea’s booming beauty industry.โ Karoline Leavitt,the white House pressโข secretary,shared her “K-beauty haul” on Instagram,featuring cleansing oils,face masks,and other skincare products,highlighting โSouth Korea’s reputation for advanced skincare and dermatological treatments.This year’s APEC summit even included a “K-Beauty Pavilion” for delegates toโ experience the latest Korean skincare trends.
The summit’s cultural moments extended to the culinary โrealm as well. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, while announcing plans to supply 260,000 advanced chips to South Korea, also indulged in “chimaek”-fried chicken and beer-a beloved Korean pairing. His dinner with Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group โคExecutive Chair Chung Eui-sun at the popular restaurant Kkanbu, known for its appearance in the hit series “Squid Game,” drew significant attention and symbolized cooperationโ in artificial โintelligence and chipmaking.
Fried โchicken remains a staple of South Korean cuisine, enjoyed in โvarious settings, from family gatheringsโ to livestreamed “mukbang” events, frequently enough accompanied by beer during sporting events. The cultural exchanges at APEC demonstrate South Korea’s growing confidence in showcasing its unique โidentity and its ability to โblend diplomacy with its vibrant cultural landscape.
