G-Dragon Named APEC 2025 Ambassador as Korea Prepares Historic Summit
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced Wednesday that K-pop superstar G-Dragon will serve as honorary ambassador for the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju this November.
The appointment comes 100 days before the summit, marking South Korea's first time hosting APEC in 20 years since Busan 2005. Kim praised G-Dragon as "Korea's leading artist" who demonstrates "continuous creativity and innovation," specifically citing his recent space music transmission project.
"With 100 days until the summit, watch the synergy between G-Dragon and APEC!" Kim wrote on social media, sharing a photo of the official appointment ceremony.
G-Dragon's ambassadorial role builds on his groundbreaking April 2025 achievement as the first Korean artist to transmit music into space. Working with KAIST, where he serves as visiting professor, he beamed his song "Home Sweet Home" into orbit via satellite-connecting with NASA's SETI program that previously sent Beatles music to space.
The BigBang leader's space project combined advanced AI technology with Korean cultural heritage, featuring his iris scan as digital artwork projected through a 13-meter antenna.
The timing aligns with G-Dragon's triumphant return through his "Übermensch World Tour"-his first in eight years. The tour launched with sold-out Seoul shows attracting 60,000 fans and continues across Asia, Australia, North America, and Europe.
His latest album "Übermensch" topped charts in Korea, Japan, and China, making him 2025's first K-pop male artist to exceed 200 million digital points on Korea's Circle Chart.
The November summit in Gyeongju will host leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific economies under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow." Korea's agenda focuses on connectivity, innovation, and prosperity-emphasizing AI governance and demographic challenges.
Foreign ministry officials say G-Dragon's global influence makes him ideal for conveying APEC's values worldwide. He'll participate in promotional campaigns led by creative director Shin Woo-seok of Dolphiners Films.
Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital and UNESCO World Heritage site, will use its Hwabaek International Convention Center as the main venue. The city expects over 20,000 participants including world leaders, CEOs, and international media.
The third preparatory meeting begins Saturday in Incheon, building momentum toward what promises to be Korea's largest diplomatic event in decades-enhanced by K-pop's biggest star as cultural ambassador.
