The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI / AHK Korea, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg), local co-host of the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2026), has released the full programme for the conference, which takes place in Seoul from 29 to 31 October at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas. Around 800 senior decision-makers from business and politics in Germany and the Asia-Pacific region are expected in Seoul for the conference.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to deliver the keynote address. Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Jung-kwan Kim will open the conference alongside co-chairs Katherina Reiche, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Roland Busch, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and President & CEO of Siemens AG. Other prominent speakers include Christian Sewing, CEO of Deutsche Bank; Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors (CEO) of BASF SE; and Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group.
Jointly organised by the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs), APK has brought German and Asia-Pacific leaders together in a different host city since 1986. Marking 40 years since the first edition, the Seoul conference opens with a welcome reception on 29 October, followed by two days of high-level dialogue on the economic, geopolitical and technological forces shaping Germany–Asia-Pacific relations.
“In the new multipolar global economy, the Indo-Pacific region is a pivotal hub, where rapidly growing markets meet dynamic innovation and the technologies of the future,” said Minister Reiche. “Germany responds with strategic clarity, strengthened partnerships and a tangible economic presence through investment in resilient supply chains. Those who are not active players in the Indo-Pacific region risk losing their capacity to shape developments during a critical phase of global economic transformation.”
Roland Busch highlighted Korea’s strategic role in translating technological leadership into industrial applications. “The region and South Korea especially represent everything we need to scale industrial innovation — technological leadership, excellence in manufacturing, and strong partners,” said Busch. “APK 2026 in Seoul is where an ecosystem meets: strategists, technology leaders, customers, and suppliers. We come together to build solutions. Industrial AI that actually works in factories. Supply chains that are resilient and competitive. Trade frameworks that create advantages for both economies. Bringing the right people together, that's when transformation happens.”
Korea on stage
Korean voices run through all three days. Soo-yeon Choi CEO of NAVER and Roland Busch, President & CEO of Siemens AG, will hold a Tech Dialogue on Industrial AI. A dedicated Korea session forms part of the AHK Business Lunch Sessions. ModigenceVision, winner of the Korea-Germany Connect: AI Startup Pitching Challenge 2026 hosted by KGCCI in July, will represent Korea at the AI Startup Award. The first conference day closes with the Korea Evening. The broader programme addresses global power shifts and trade, AI and manufacturing, raw materials and the circular economy, corporate financing amid geopolitical risk, industrial policy and business resilience.
The conference comes as political momentum builds. At the G7 summit in June, Korean President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Merz discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, with Merz highlighting the October conference as an opportunity to deepen investment cooperation and exchanges.
At a special reception co-hosted by KGCCI on 22 September, Korean Prime Minister Seongsook Han expressed her hope that APK 2026 would help Korean and German companies create new opportunities for growth through investment and cooperation.
The programme opens on 29 October with a welcome reception hosted by Deutsche Bank at The Shilla Seoul. On 30 October, after a welcome from DIHK President Peter Adrian and opening statements by Reiche, Kim and Busch, Chancellor Merz is expected to deliver his keynote, followed by “Three Questions to the Federal Chancellor.” Busch and Reiche close the conference on 31 October. The full programme is available at www.asiapacificconference.com.
