Gyeongju steps into global spotlight as APEC week opens

Banners bearing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit logo are seen at Gyeongju Station in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. Yonhap

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — With just one day left until the highly anticipated Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings begin, Gyeongju buzzed as delegations and media from the member economies began arriving Sunday.

The ancient city has finished preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders' Week that officially kicks off Monday and runs through Saturday. World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, are set to arrive for high-stakes diplomacy.

APEC banners lined the streets as shuttle buses emblazoned with the summit’s logo ferried passengers between the city center and Bomun Tourist Complex, the venue for the upcoming meetings.

Inside the Bomun complex, barricades lined the main roads in preparation for swift traffic control once the delegations arrive. Police vehicles patrolled the area, while security personnel in black stood guard at restricted entrances.

Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO), the summit's main venue, was heavily guarded with only authorized personnel allowed inside. The building's interior was brightly lit as technicians completed final checks before the official events begin.

Nearby, journalists gathered at the newly built International Media Center adjacent to HICO. Even though the official program was not yet underway, broadcasting vans packed the parking lot, setting up for coverage.

At Gyeongju Expo Center, workers were putting the finishing touches on business exhibition booths appearing alongside the summit.

A police motorcycle is seen patrolling at Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. The complex houses Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting venues and hotels for leaders. Yonhap

Roughly 20,000 participants, from heads of state and ministerial delegations to corporate executives and foreign media, are set to descend on the ancient city, marking the first time it has hosted an international event of this scale.

Representing more than 60 percent of global GDP and half of world trade, the 21 APEC member economies will spend the week discussing trade, investment, artificial intelligence and demographic challenges under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow."

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meetings are being held from Sunday through Tuesday. ABAC serves as a private sector advisory body that delivers recommendations from business leaders to their governments.

The Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting (CSOM) among government representatives takes place Monday and Tuesday as the final in a series of preparatory talks. The APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM), bringing together foreign and trade ministers, is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

The APEC CEO Summit, running Wednesday through Friday, will feature global business leaders sharing insights on the future of the world economy and innovation.

The main event, the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, is set for Friday and Saturday, with attention focused on whether leaders can issue a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to free trade amid mounting geopolitical and economic tensions.

Beyond the official agenda, several bilateral summits are expected on the sidelines.

The most closely watched event is the rare encounter planned between Trump and Xi on Thursday. It will be their first meeting in six years, as the leaders of the world’s two largest economies seek to ease tensions and explore a possible trade deal.

According to U.S. officials, the meeting will take place in Busan rather than Gyeongju, reportedly due to security reasons. The Narae Maru facility inside the Republic of Korea Air Force base at Gimhae International Airport has been floated as the likely venue.

While the White House confirmed Trump's itinerary does not include a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the U.S. president said he remains open to face-to-face talks with Kim.

For President Lee Jae Myung, the APEC summit marks a week of intense diplomacy.

The Korean government views the gathering, which marks the first APEC meeting hosted by the country in two decades, as a prime opportunity to position itself as a bridge-builder amid widening global divides.

From left, U.S. President Donald Trump, President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping are seen in this combination of photos from AP, Yonhap News Agency and Reuters. Yonhap

Lee is expected to hold separate summits with Trump on Wednesday and Xi on Saturday, both in Gyeongju. Observers are watching closely to see whether his talks with Trump could yield a long-awaited tariff deal, while the meeting with Xi is likely to focus on restoring strained Korea-China ties.

Apart from politics, the government hopes to use APEC week as a stage to highlight Gyeongju's rich heritage.

Spouses of visiting leaders will attend cultural events at Wooyang Art Museum, along with tours of major cultural sites such as Bulguk Temple.

Friday's gala dinner for world leaders is expected to blend traditional artistry with contemporary flair, with speculation swirling that K-pop star G-Dragon, who serves as an official APEC ambassador, may make an appearance.

At the Gyeongju National Museum, a special runway will be installed on Woljeong Bridge for a hanbok fashion show on Wednesday, showcasing Korea’s traditional attire across eras.