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.
APEC host Korea wraps Gyeongju summit
President Lee Jae Myung poses with leaders of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies after APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Saturday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting has been closed in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Saturday, with 21 member economies adopting the “Gyeongju Declaration.” President Lee Jae Myung officially handed over the APEC chairmanship for next year to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"With APEC’s support and cooperation, the realization of peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula will be possible,” Lee said, calling for the continued interest of participating nations.
In his closing remarks, Xi announced next year’s APEC will be held in November in Shenzhen, adding that “China, as next year’s chair, will work for the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.”
President Lee Jae Myung delivers his opening remarks as the chair of the second session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting held at the Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Saturday. Yonhap
Earlier, Lee chaired the second session of the APEC summit.
According to the presidential office, the theme of the second session — known as the Retreat, a forum designed to foster candid and in-depth dialogue among leaders — was “Preparing a Future-Ready Asia-Pacific.”
Proposed by Seoul, the session focused on two key regional challenges: the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and the demographic shifts resulting from low birthrates and aging populations.
In his opening remarks, Lee praised the AI capacity of the APEC member economies, citing a study which found five of the world’s top 10 countries in AI capability are APEC members, and all of the leading nations holding the highest number of AI-related patents are also members.
Lee emphasized the importance of creating an AI-friendly socioeconomic environment and promoting public-private cooperation to support corporate creativity.
“The key principle is to build an AI-based society that drives inclusive growth — AI for all," Lee said.
Regarding low birthrates and population aging, Lee said: “Demographic changes pose a serious and far-reaching challenge that affects the economy, labor market, and education and welfare systems — a problem too complex to be addressed by individual efforts alone.” He continued, “To seek collective solutions within APEC, Korea has proposed the establishment of a Joint Framework on Responding to Demographic Change.”
He expressed hope that “member economies will collaborate through innovative ideas — from fostering inclusive growth that embraces future generations to developing AI-based strategies to address population challenges.”
President Lee Jae Myung delivers his opening remarks as the chair of the second session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting held at the Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Saturday. Yonhap
As the APEC summit closed, most heads of state and high-level officials from participating countries are departing for home through Busan’s Gimhae International Airport. However, Xi is scheduled to leave after holding a Korea–China summit with Lee later this afternoon.