800 business leaders from Germany, Asia-Pacific to converge in Seoul for APK 2026

Oct. 29–31 conference to feature keynote by German Chancellor Merz

Executives from Siemens, Naver, BASF, DHL and Deutsche Bank to attend

Industrial AI, supply chains and economic security top the agenda

A poster for the 19th Asia-Pacific German Business Conference (APK 2026) [Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry]

Political and business leaders from Germany and the Asia-Pacific region will gather in Seoul later this month to tackle pressing issues reshaping the global industrial order — from industrial AI and supply chain restructuring to energy, trade and economic security.

The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) announced Tuesday that it has released the full program for the 19th Asia-Pacific German Business Conference (APK 2026), to be held in Seoul from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31.

About 800 government and business representatives from Germany and the Asia-Pacific region are expected to attend. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will deliver the keynote address, joined by South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche, and Roland Busch, chairman of the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (APA) and chairman and CEO of Siemens Group.

The conference opens Oct. 29 with a welcome reception hosted by Deutsche Bank at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.

The main program runs Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu.

On Oct. 30, Peter Adrian, president of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), will deliver the opening remarks, followed by opening addresses from Reiche, Kim and Busch. Merz will then give his keynote, after which a session titled "Three Questions for the Chancellor" is scheduled.

The program continues through Oct. 31, with full details available on the APK 2026 official website.

The Seoul conference is drawing attention not only as a networking event but as a forum convened at a moment when global supply chains and manufacturing are shifting rapidly. Ongoing trade tensions and economic security competition among major powers — including the United States and China — have pushed companies to reduce dependence on specific countries and markets and diversify their technology, raw material and production bases. The APK 2026 agenda reflects this, centering on AI and manufacturing, raw materials, supply chains, industrial policy and corporate resilience.

South Korea is seen as a key cooperation partner for German companies in Asia, given its strengths in semiconductor, automotive and battery manufacturing alongside AI and digital technology. Germany, in turn, brings expertise in machinery, chemicals, automobiles and industrial automation. Analysts say cooperation between companies from the two countries could expand beyond traditional manufacturing into AI-driven production innovation and supply chain management — a shift that helps explain why industrial AI features so prominently on this year's APK agenda.

At the conference, Naver CEO Choi Su-yeon and Siemens Group Chairman Busch will hold a "Tech Dialogue on Industrial AI," discussing how AI technology can be applied on factory floors and what changes it may bring to industrial competitiveness.

A separate "AHK Business Luncheon Session" focused on the Korean market is also on the program. At the "AI Startup Award," Modigensvision — winner of the Korea-Germany Connect: AI Startup Pitching Challenge 2026 hosted by KGCCI in July — will represent South Korea.

Reiche described the Indo-Pacific region as "a key hub where rapidly growing markets converge with innovation and future technologies," adding that Germany must expand its economic role in the region through strategic partnerships and investment in resilient supply chains.

Busch, noting South Korea's technological capabilities and manufacturing strength, said it is important "to build industrial AI, competitive supply chains and a trade environment that supports shared growth across both regions."

The program lineup also reflects the concerns running through German industry today. Where past APK conferences emphasized market entry and network-building in Asia, this year's gathering puts corporate survival strategy front and center — where to manufacture, what technologies to secure and how to absorb supply chain shocks. The shift signals that German business now views the Asia-Pacific not merely as an export market but as a strategic partner for jointly building technology, production and supply chain capacity.

The full program covers a broad range of topics, including the reshaping of global power and trade, AI and manufacturing, raw materials and the circular economy, corporate financing under geopolitical risk, and industrial policy and business resilience.

Senior executives from major German, Korean and Asia-Pacific companies will join as speakers and panelists, including representatives from Siemens and Naver, as well as BASF CEO Markus Kamieth, DHL CEO Tobias Meyer and Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing.

The conference also coincides with growing momentum in economic cooperation between South Korea and Germany. On the sidelines of the G7 summit in June, President Lee Jae Myung and Chancellor Merz discussed ways to expand bilateral economic cooperation, including trade and investment.

APK is the flagship Asia-Pacific event of the German business community, co-organized by APA, Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the AHK overseas network of German chambers of commerce. Launched in 1986 and held biennially, the conference marks its 40th anniversary this year.

realbighead@heraldcorp.com