By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

Jeju Island hosted an international conference on creating a sustainable labor market and quality jobs in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on May 12 that the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting was held at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) Tamra Hall under the theme of “Sustainable Labor Markets and Jobs for the Future.

More than 200 people attended the meeting, including Jeju Island Governor Oh Young-hoon, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Min-seok (Acting Minister), Chairperson of the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) Yoon Sung-mi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives from APEC member economies and guests from international organizations.

Participants held in-depth discussions on how to develop labor markets in response to rapidly changing times.

The plenary session began with a keynote speech by the Vice Minister of Employment and Labor, followed by discussions by experts on the topics of “Flexible and Vibrant Labor Market” (Session 1) and “Future Jobs and Active Labor Market Policies” (Session 2).

In the lobby on the 3rd floor of the ICC, booths promoting support policies for the life cycle of enrollment, employment, reemployment, and retirement were operated, and future models of job support policies combined with advanced technology, such as one-stop services linked to the Employment 24 function of the employment center, were also presented.

In his welcome speech, Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon introduced Jeju's efforts for sustainable development and job creation.

“Jeju is strengthening regional networks for global peace and prosperity through active local diplomacy,” said Oh. ”We are doing our best to realize the 2035 carbon neutrality goal by utilizing renewable energy along with tourism to make our beautiful nature the foundation for sustainable development.”

“In the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, we will realize a sustainable future with stable jobs by fostering high-tech industries such as space, bio, and energy so that everyone can benefit from technological advancements and adapt to the new era.” ‘We will strive to make Jeju a representative region in Asia and the Pacific with a high-quality job environment,’ he added.

Governor Oh will join the APEC Leaders' Welcome Dinner at Lotte Hotel that evening to share Jeju's vision for a sustainable future.

By successfully hosting the APEC Jeju Meeting, Jeju Island is taking the opportunity to showcase the island's future values and development strategies, represented by carbon neutrality and fostering high-tech industries, to the international community.

It is also introducing participants to Jeju's unique natural environment and cultural identity through a tour bus and cultural tour program, focusing on building international consensus and cooperation networks.

Meanwhile, Jeju has been striving to host the 2025 APEC Summit, but has not been selected as the final host city. Following the government's decision to decentralize the event, Jeju hosted the Second Senior Officials' Meeting and four ministerial meetings.