This is an aerial photo of the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, the venue for this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit starting late next month.

By Kim Hyelin

Photos = Yonhap News

Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, construction of key facilities is nearing completion like conference halls, International Media Center (IMC) and business expo sites.

The province is using an on-site inspection system to speed up preparations for the summit.

Gyeongsangbuk-do on Sept. 17 launched an interim office for its governor at the Silla Metal Craft Museum in Gyeongju as part of on-site preparations.

"Key infrastructure facilities such as the summit hall and IMC are in the final stages of completion and should be finished this month without difficulty," said Kim Sang-Chul, director of the Gyeongsangbuk-do APEC Preparation and Support Bureau. "Renovations of presidential suite rooms for use by heads of state are also almost done except at Commodore Hotel Gyeongju."

This is the International Media Center located next to the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center, and both buildings will be connected by a path after the APEC Summit.

About a month ago, the convention center underwent full remodeling.

"We are spending KRW 12 billion to replace elevators and escalators and install cutting-edge equipment and sound systems for paperless meetings," said Park Jang Ho, director of the APEC Preparation and Support Office. "Construction should be complete within this month."

Construction of the IMC located right next to the center is also accelerating. With a floor area of 6,000 square m, the two-story building can accommodate up to 4,000 domestic and foreign journalists.

At Gyeongju Expo Park, the business expo venue K-Business Square is being built. During the summit, corporations and small and medium enterprises will showcase the future of diverse industries ranging from secondary batteries and energy to semiconductors, cars and biotechnology.

K-Business Square at Gyeongju Expo Park during the APEC Summit will host an event featuring the past, present and future of the country's industries.

The summit's preparation has three main pillars: the central, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju governments.

Led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the central government oversees overall operations and international promotion of the event, while the province handles construction of conference and exhibition venues, lodging, transportation and medical support.

Gyeongju is focusing on improving urban services by boosting convenience for international visitors by expanding the number of signs and restaurant menus in foreign languages and cooperating with BBB Korea, a volunteer interpretation group.

A space under construction at the courtyard of Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, will serve as a networking venue for businesspeople and heads of state during the APEC CEO Summit.

Gyeongsangbuk-do will also use these facilities after the summit ends. The IMC and K-Business Square will be turned into permanent exhibition halls and new buildings within Gyeongju National Museum will host cultural events.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr