Dongbaekseom & Nurimaru APEC House

Character

The summit table on Nurimaru's third floor still carries the desks, chairs, microphones, nameplates and carpet used by APEC leaders in 2005. Outside the glass, the meeting room opens toward the sea, Gwangan Bridge and the coast of Dongbaekseom

Nurimaru was designed as a modern version of a Korean jeongja pavilion. Its roof echoes Dongbaekseom's ridgeline, and broad glazed walls keep the sea visible from the meeting room. The coastal view was part of the summit setting from the beginning

The room is preserved almost like a stage set. Visitors can leave it and return directly to the public coastal paths around the building, where the same sea and bridge remain in view

The experience

Pine- and camellia-covered paths follow Dongbaekseom's coast, with views toward Haeundae, Gwangan Bridge and the open water. Nurimaru stands on the island's western edge above the shoreline

Inside, the third floor is the key space. The 2005 leaders' meeting room remains arranged around the circular table, and the adjoining memorial explains the summit, participating economies and objects used during the event. The second floor still functions as a conference venue and continues to host meetings

From the coastal path, the rounded roof can be compared directly with the island ridge it was designed to echo

History

Busan began building Nurimaru in September 2004 for the 2005 APEC summit and completed it the following year. The brief combined security, ceremonial space and a location exposed to the sea. Architect Yang Jin-hwang used a modernized pavilion form, a glazed exterior and Korean decorative motifs to make the coastal setting part of the venue

On 19 November 2005, APEC leaders held their second leaders' meeting and luncheon here. The sea view, traditional motifs and extensive security systems were deliberate parts of the summit setting

After the summit, Busan opened the building to the public and retained its conference function. The third-floor meeting room stayed arranged with the furniture and equipment used by the leaders, and an APEC memorial was added around it. The building now works as both a conference venue and a public record of the 2005 meeting

Before you go\n\nThe coastal path supplies the exterior context for Nurimaru. From outside, the pavilion can be seen against the ridge; inside, the preserved summit room shows how the same sea view was used during the meeting.\n\nThe island path and Nurimaru run on different schedules. Parking around Dongbaekseom is limited on weekends and holidays, and the operator recommends public transport.