President Lee Jun-seok Cites “K-pop Demon Hunters” in APEC Speech, Emphasizing “Solidarity and Cooperation as the Keys to the Future”

On the 29th, during a special speech at the Gyeongju APEC CEO Summit, President Lee Jun-seok highlighted the importance of solidarity and cooperation by referencing the globally popular animated series “K-pop Demon Hunters.” The president stated, “In the recent global phenomenon <K-pop Demon Hunters>, K-pop idols and their fans complete powerful ‘honmun’—actions that drive away darkness—through strong unity.” He added, “In an era of crisis and uncertainty, ‘solidarity and cooperation’ are the keys that will lead us all toward a brighter future.” He emphasized that the message from this series has been proven in Korea’s real historical context as well. “This obvious truth is also demonstrated by South Korea’s ‘K-democracy,’ which drove away the darkness of last winter’s unrest with the bright lights of ‘various lightsticks,’” he said, referring to the incident where citizens held lightsticks to defend democracy during the Disability Day protest in December of the previous year. The president noted that “supply chain cooperation is crucial” and explained, “South Korea was the first country within APEC to hold a public-private joint forum focused on supply chain sustainability, paving the way for active participation from the private sector.” He also stated that “the core of innovation is artificial intelligence (AI)” and added, “Just as Cheomseongdae could predict star movements based on data, AI, grounded in data, will serve as an engine of intelligence that provides humanity with new insights and directions.” The president said, “‘Connection’ is the power of solidarity that bridges an era of disconnection,” and declared, “As a global responsible nation, South Korea will make meaningful contributions to restoring trust and cooperation within the region.” Highlighting Korea’s historical achievements, he urged, “I hope South Korea’s history—of achieving industrialization from the ruins of war and defending democracy through various challenges—can give you the courage and inspiration to overcome crises.” This speech serves as an example of K-pop culture being utilized at the core of national diplomacy. The president further added, “At this summit, South Korea will propose an ‘AI initiative,’ hoping that the vision of AI for all can become a new standard within APEC.” Meanwhile, at the social media platform event, the 2025 Seoul Hunters Festival was held in Seoul Square, where artists from the United States, Bulgaria, Indonesia, and other parts of the world performed high-energy choreography to the original soundtrack from the series. Between performances, participants discussed characteristics of Korean culture, such as the extremely inexpensive ramen available at 24-hour convenience stores. This is regarded as an example of practically utilizing South Korea’s soft power on the international stage, going beyond mere promotion of the film.