Police mobilize full-scale security operations for APEC meeting in Gyeongju

A panoramic view of the Hwabaek International Convention Center, which will be used as the venue for the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Aug. 21. Yonhap

With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting set to open Oct. 31 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, police have begun full-scale preparations to ensure the highest level of security. To safeguard key venues during the global event, security authorities plan to eliminate potential threats by deploying thousands of personnel and state-of-the-art counterterrorism equipment throughout the summit.

According to police officials Sunday, up to 18,500 officers will be mobilized daily during the event to handle security, traffic management and prevention of surprise protests.

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, which launched a dedicated APEC task force in March, its security command center has been established in Gyeongju to oversee on-site readiness, with units drafted from across the country, including mobile patrols, SWAT teams and investigative squads.

On Sept. 8 and 9, police conducted a large-scale motorcade security drill at the Bomun Tourist Complex — home to both the summit venue and participating leader accommodations — involving 593 officers and around 190 patrol vehicles.

A joint counterterrorism drill is held at Gimhae International Airport’s international terminal in Busan, Thursday, where a police SWAT unit supported by police dogs subdues an armed hostage-taking terrorist in preparation for the 2025 APEC meeting. Yonhap

During the summit period in late October and early November, security forces will be reinforced with advanced counterterrorism assets such as jamming devices to neutralize drones, SWAT armored vehicles and helicopters, which will be deployed both on the ground and in the air around the venues.

In coordination with the police, the Coast Guard plans to drain roughly 70 percent of the water from the Bomun complex lake for safety inspections before refilling it and deploying patrol boats.

“We will maintain an impenetrable security posture to ensure the safety of foreign dignitaries visiting Korea for the APEC meeting," a police spokesperson emphasized.

The meeting's main sessions will be held at the Hwabaek International Convention Center, and an official banquet will take place at Gyeongju National Museum in the city center.

A team of government officials inspect preparations at a major business event venue in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Sept. 4. Courtesy of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Although many of the security and protection measures remain classified, officials note that lessons can be drawn from the 2005 APEC meeting in Busan, which hosted leaders from 21 economies, including the U.S., Japan, China and Russia, along with ministers, business leaders and thousands of journalists.

At that time, police rolled out comprehensive security plans, coordinated intelligence sharing with the National Intelligence Service, worked with the Ministry of National Defense to divide responsibility zones, and conducted joint drills with fire and maritime authorities. Special security zones were also designated to prevent disruptive protests.