World Korean business leaders gather in Incheon for economic summit

Participants rise to the national anthem of South Korea at the 2025 Korea Business Expo Incheon Oct 27 2025 AJP Han Jun-gu — Participants rise to the national anthem of South Korea at the 2025 Korea Business Expo Incheon, Oct. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

INCHEON, October 27 (AJP) - About 2,000 Korean business leaders from around the globe convened in Incheon for a four-day economic summit aimed at strengthening commercial ties between overseas Korean entrepreneurs and domestic firms.

The 2025 Korea Business Expo Incheon opened Monday at Songdo, south of Incheon, drawing about 1,500 Korean businesspeople from abroad and 500 domestic participants including corporate executives and government officials.

The four-day convention, running through Oct. 30, marks the largest international economic event since the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World-OKTA) established its headquarters in the port city.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok welcomed the delegates, highlighting the city's strategic position as a hub for Korean business networks. "Incheon, equipped with world-class airport and port facilities along with cutting-edge industrial infrastructure, will serve as the epicenter of Korean economic activity and the launching pad for K-business globalization," Yoo said at the opening ceremony.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok Oct 27 2025 AJP Han Jun-gu — Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, speaks at a press conference held at the 2025 Korea Business Expo Incheon, Oct. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

The mayor called on participants, including officials from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and several lawmakers, to forge sustainable partnerships that would enable small and medium-sized enterprises to expand overseas.

The Incheon government is leveraging the event to bolster its image as an international business destination. Officials set up promotional booths showcasing the city's industrial capabilities and organized tours of advanced technology companies and global campus facilities for participants.

A trade fair featuring 400 domestic companies, including 85 from Incheon, will run from Tuesday through Wednesday at the venue. The exhibitors will showcase products to overseas Korean business owners seeking new commercial opportunities.

Inside Halls 1 and 2, Korean sellers were setting up booths, with items varying from cosmetics to heavy equipment for construction.

"We already have buyers from ASEAN countries and the Middle East, but we hope to widen the spectrum even further," said Katherine Sung, CEO of foot care cosmetics firm Pedi:all.

Park Jong-bum chairman of the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations answers to the press at the 2025 Korea Business Expo Incheon Oct 27 2025 AJP Han Jun-gu — Park Jong-bum, chairman of the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations, speaks at a press conference held at the 2025 Korea Business Expo Incheon, Oct. 27, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

The convention's program also includes sessions on trade cooperation, investment briefings, a global startup competition and cultural performances.

When asked how the convention may overlap with the APEC Summit during a private press conference on the sidelines by AJP, Park Jong-bum, chairman of the World-OKTA, acknowledged concerns but expressed optimism about potential synergies.

"Many members live abroad, and several attendees are participating in both APEC and our convention. We expect a multiplier effect," Park said.

Kim Dong-young davekim0807@ajupress.com