APEC 2025 KOREA - SOM2: VIP Protocol and Mobility Solutions for Ministerial Meetings

The Second Senior Officials’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2025 KOREA - SOM2) was successfully held in Jeju. This large-scale and complex international event included high-level meetings such as the Ministerial Meetings on Trade, Education, and Employment. As such, it required a highly strategic approach to both transport and protocol operations.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, as a host destination for international conferences, offers excellent infrastructure as well as beautiful nature and tourist attractions loved by people around the world. However, due to its insular geography, there were structural limitations in securing sufficient protocol vehicles and skilled personnel for a large-scale event like this, posing several operational challenges.

Each meeting had different transportation routes and attendee tiers—from ministers to working-level staff and support personnel—requiring simultaneous, seamless transportation services tailored to each group. A robust transport system capable of handling this complexity was essential.

To address these challenges, GroundK developed tier-specific transport plans based on participant profiling and schedule analysis for each meeting, while building a flexible operational framework that could respond to the unpredictable nature of international events.

“GroundK shines behind the scenes of international conferences”

During SOM2, over 400 protocol and transportation services were provided—from ministerial meetings to working-level sessions, banquets, networking events, and cultural tours.
The composition of participants was diverse, and the travel routes spanned a wide range, from Jeju City where the airport is located, to Seogwipo where the main venues were situated.
Transportation services ranged from dedicated protocol vehicles for high-level dignitaries, to metropolitan shuttles for staff members, to tour buses for cultural excursions. Coordinating this complexity required meticulous planning and precise on-site execution.

Data-Driven Transport Operations Powered by VMS

GroundK actively utilized its proprietary Vehicle Management System (VMS) to achieve flawless transport and protocol operations under challenging circumstances.
VMS allowed real-time monitoring of vehicle location, operational status, driver information, and traffic conditions—enabling rapid response to any unexpected incidents during transit.
This digital solution enabled more efficient vehicle deployment, offered participants a stable mobility experience, and provided the operations team with a transparent management system. It was a success born from the synergy of technology and operational expertise.

Strategic Transport Protocol Tailored to Participant Needs

SOM2 included not only official meetings but also cultural programs that showcased Jeju’s unique landscape and traditions.
GroundK designed transportation services aligned with each program’s nature, ensuring that participants could move comfortably and enjoy sufficient rest outside official events—allowing them to focus more effectively during key sessions. Over 400 transport operations were executed seamlessly, thanks to thorough planning and strong execution from start to finish.

One of the greatest achievements of this project was the seamless connection of diverse event types—from ministerial meetings and working sessions to official dinners, cultural tours, and informal gatherings—into one coherent transport flow.

GroundK’s structured transport management and precise integration of digital technologies were key drivers of SOM2’s success and reinforced the global reputation of Korean companies in the field of international event protocol and transport.
Participants were able to fully immerse themselves in both the conference and Jeju’s natural beauty, while GroundK once again demonstrated its expertise and reliability on the international stage.

“The driving force behind complex event success – GroundK”

The three ministerial meetings held alongside APEC SOM2 serve as a comprehensive showcase of GroundK’s integrated transport capabilities.
We went beyond simple logistics to become a true “moving partner” that elevated the quality and completeness of the entire event.

Smartly managing over 400 protocol vehicle operations and ensuring every participant arrived safely and punctually at their destinations—
at the center of this was a fusion of technology, field expertise, and a deep understanding of people.

In international events, transportation is not just about moving people.
It’s about connecting experiences, creating memories, and completing success.
GroundK will continue to take responsibility for more journeys, on more roads, around the world.