Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
President Lee presides over APEC summit for stronger connectivity in Asia-Pacific
President Lee Jae Myung presides over the first session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit at the Gyeongju HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung presided over the first session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Friday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
The session, titled “Towards a More Connected, Resilient Region and Beyond,” features informal discussions among leaders from APEC’s 21 member economies, joined by key invited guests including UAE Crown Prince Khalid of Abu Dhabi and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
In his opening remarks, Lee highlighted Korea’s leading role in the APEC since its founding, emphasizing the nation’s longstanding commitment to regional cooperation and shared prosperity.
“From every multilateral achievement of APEC, Korea has been at the forefront of that journey,” Lee said, noting that as a founding member, Korea helped lay APEC’s institutional foundation through the 1991 Seoul Declaration.
President Lee Jae Myung presides over the first session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Gyeongju HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Yonhap
He also recalled that in 2005, during the Busan APEC summit, members adopted the Busan Roadmap to advance trade liberalization across the Asia-Pacific.
“The more we stay connected and open to one another, the more we can move forward on the path to shared prosperity,” he added.
President Lee noted that since APEC’s launch, the region’s total output has grown fivefold and intra-regional trade has increased tenfold, achievements made possible through mutual trust and cooperation among member economies. However, he cautioned against complacency amid mounting global uncertainties.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the first session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit at the Gyeongju HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Yonhap
"We stand at an inflection point amid profound shifts in the international order,” the Korean president said. “The free trade system faces profound change, and global economic fragmentation is weakening the momentum for trade and investment. Artificial intelligence presents both unprecedented challenges and opportunities. These are not easy times, but I believe the very spirit of cooperation that has guided APEC so far holds the key to overcoming today’s crises.”
Concluding his remarks, Lee underscored the importance of unity in diversity: “While each of us pursues our own national interests, we can still stand together in pursuit of our shared goal—achieving common prosperity through cooperation and solidarity.”
President Lee Jae Myung greets U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who attended the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit at the Gyeongju HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Yonhap
Before the session commenced, Lee personally welcomed and greeted the APEC leaders as they arrived at the venue. Participants in the informal dialogue include leaders from South Korea, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam, along with UAE Crown Prince Khalid of Abu Dhabi.
During the session, Lee engaged with economic leaders to discuss ways to promote trade and investment, strengthen economic connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region, and enhance public–private partnerships to unlock the potential of the private sector.
President Lee Jae Myung greets Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit at the Gyeongju HICO Convention Center in Geyongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Yonhap
He also took an active role in fostering consensus among APEC members on the importance of mutual cooperation. Through these efforts, Lee seeks to reinvigorate regional collaboration and explore concrete measures to ensure that APEC continues to serve as the region’s leading economic forum and a relevant platform for future cooperation.