Economic Highlight: ASEAN Trade Fair 2025 Opens at KINTEX

The ASEAN Trade Fair 2025, taking place from 13–16 November at KINTEX in Ilsan, is the centrepiece of the week’s economic activities and is expected to provide a significant boost to ASEAN–Korea trade.

A total of 80 food and beverage companies from all ten ASEAN Member States are showcasing leading products such as coffee, kaya jam, premium pepper and dried fruits. The B2B Business Meeting Zone is scheduled to host up to 420 one-on-one consultations between ASEAN suppliers and Korean buyers, a platform expected to strengthen trade links and support ASEAN SMEs seeking to enter the Korean market.

A new ASEAN Pop-up Store Zone is also offering the public the chance to purchase authentic ASEAN products at discounted prices, helping to raise awareness of the region’s cultural and culinary diversity.

Cultural Milestone: ASEAN Benches Unveiled in Jeju

ASEAN Week began in Jeju on 11 November with the completion of ten ASEAN benches installed along the Jeju Olle Trail. Each bench represents one ASEAN Member State and serves as a lasting symbol of friendship. The installation is expected to help promote ASEAN tourism in Jeju and further enhance cultural and tourism cooperation between the two sides.

Organisers say the success of ASEAN Week 2025 reflects the strong commitment of ASEAN and Korea to revitalise people-to-people exchanges and advance practical cooperation, laying the foundation for a more prosperous and interconnected future.

Speaking at the trade fair on 14 November, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, Mr. Kim Jae-shin, praised the event as an important driver of deeper economic and cultural engagement.

KPL