ANDONG — Gyeongsangbuk-do Province has successfully concluded its "APEC Backstage" program, which saw a group of international student reporters from 17 nations highlight the city of Gyeongju and its preparations for the upcoming APEC Summit. The initiative aimed to shed light on the meticulous efforts behind the scenes to ensure the conference's success and to promote Gyeongju's rich cultural heritage on a global scale.

The two-day program, held from August 25, brought together students from APEC member countries and beyond, accompanied by a mentor group of diplomatic experts, including former ambassadors. Their itinerary included visits to key APEC venues such as the Hwabaek Convention Center and the Gyeongju National Museum. Beyond the official sites, the reporters also immersed themselves in Gyeongju's traditional charm, exploring iconic landmarks like Bulguksa Temple, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and Hwangnidan-gil Street. They participated in cultural activities such as wearing hanbok and creating traditional crafts, meticulously documenting both the APEC preparations and the local culture.

Following their on-site experience, the students, guided by their mentors, penned articles and essays that captured the spirit of APEC and the unique beauty of the host city. These contributions have been widely shared across various media platforms in their home countries, including Russia, the Philippines, Brunei, and Vietnam. The articles have appeared in online news platforms, major daily newspapers, official government social media pages, university websites, and other social networking services, with more publications expected in the future.

One student reporter expressed their pride in the experience, stating, "It was a meaningful time to experience the historical site where APEC will be held and to report on Korean culture and the preparations for APEC. I feel a sense of pride being able to share this experience with my home country."

Kim Sang-cheol, head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do APEC Preparation Support Team, underscored the program's success. "Through this initiative, international students were able to experience Gyeongju's culture and the APEC preparation process firsthand and share it with the world," he said. He added that the province would continue to promote the successful hosting of the APEC summit through a variety of international exchange programs. The "APEC Backstage" program served as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy, leveraging the perspectives of young, global reporters to build momentum and excitement for the APEC Summit.