Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Protests against US, China leaders erupt in Gyeongju during APEC
Progressive civic groups and politicians hold an anti-U.S. rally in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday, near the Bomun Tourist Complex where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is being held. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Lee Hyo-jin
Demonstrators take to streets holding 'Trump out, Xi Jinping out' placards
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Protests against the leaders of the U.S. and China erupted across Gyeongju, Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump arrived for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, with Chinese President Xi Jinping set to arrive the next day.
Anti-Trump protesters criticized the U.S. president for demanding money from Korea through tariffs and demands for higher defense spending, describing his policies as unilateral and unfair to the long-standing ally.
The demonstrators put on a theatrical performance, with one protester dressed in a suit and bright red necktie tied up with rope as others waved red cards and shouted slogans condemning the U.S. president's tariff policies.
They chanted phrases like "No Kings: Trump Not Welcome" and "No to APEC."
"APEC claims to aim for economic growth and prosperity, but in reality, leaders are busy currying favor with Trump and showcasing their diplomatic skills just to secure lower tariffs," said Kwon Young-kook, head of the minor opposition progressive Justice Party.
"How can an organization talk about growth when it cannot even check the great powers undermining the international order?"
The demonstration was organized by the International People's Action Committee Against the 2025 APEC, a coalition of 35 left-leaning civic groups and political parties.
It took place roughly 5 kilometers from Bomun Tourist Complex, the summit’s main venue. Security measures prevented protesters from approaching the site, and dozens of police officers stood guard near the protest area.
Trump arrived at Gimhae International Airport in Busan around 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday and held bilateral talks with President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju starting around 2 p.m. His visit to Korea is being conducted at the level of a state visit, the highest form of diplomatic courtesy extended to a foreign head of state.
Progressive civic groups hold an anti-U.S. rally in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
A group of anti-Trump protesters near Gyeongju National Museum, the summit venue, broke through police lines and attempted to approach the event site.
About 70 participants breached the police blockade and advanced to within roughly 100 meters of the museum, where they continued their protest. The demonstrators briefly clashed with police, although no injuries were reported. Police set up a barricade using patrol cars as a precaution against further incidents.
Separate anti-Trump rallies were held elsewhere in the city following the U.S. president's arrival.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the nation's largest umbrella labor group, organized a protest near the former Gyeongju Railway Station. Dozens of participants, including union members and progressive civic activists, marched through the streets chanting slogans such as "Trump, go home!"
Conservative civic groups hold anti-Chinese demonstrations in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Right-leaning groups also held separate anti-China rallies in downtown Gyeongju later in the day ahead of Xi's arrival.
The demonstrations, organized by Freedom University, a right-wing civic group, took place near Hwangnidan-gil, the city's popular tourist district.
They chanted slogans such as "China out," "Xi Jinping out" and "Crack down on communists," with some protesters shouting anti-China slurs.
Dozens of police officers were deployed, and barricades were set up along the streets to prevent possible clashes with anti-Trump demonstrators. The noisy rally, featuring drums and large Korean and American flags, drew the attention of foreign visitors.
"Korea is being swallowed by the Chinese Communist Party. Due to the visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals, our citizens are being exposed to crimes such as drug trafficking and abduction," said Park Jun-young, head of Freedom University.
Xi is set to arrive in Korea on Thursday for the APEC summit and bilateral meetings with the Korean and U.S. presidents. His three-day visit will mark the first by a Chinese leader in more than a decade.
A llama brought by an anti-Chinese protester stands near the rally site in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul