Foreign reporters impressed by Gyeongju, but call for greater APEC access

The Korea Times is available at the International Media Center for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit taking place in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — For many foreign journalists covering this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Gyeongju is a city they are visiting for the first time.

The summit, which kicked off Monday in the ancient city in North Gyeongsang Province, has drawn a large international media presence, as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare for a rare meeting on the sidelines.

Around 3,000 foreign journalists have registered, according to the APEC organizing committee, and many were seen arriving Tuesday at the International Media Center in Bomun Tourist Complex.

Reporters said they were struck by Gyeongju's calm and peaceful atmosphere, although they expressed frustration over limited access to APEC meetings.

"It’s a very quiet and authentic city," said Maria, a reporter from Mexico. "Even though there are more people now because of APEC, it still feels peaceful. If someone wants to experience a truly Korean place, Gyeongju seems perfect."

The media center itself impressed many. Built specifically for the summit, the two-story facility includes a main press room that seats 400, two briefing rooms for about 80 people each, a cafeteria, and a refreshment area on the first floor. The second floor offers additional workstations, interview booths and broadcasting studios.

"It’s really amazing. The facility is spacious, clean, and well-equipped. The Wi-Fi is strong, there’s plenty of room to work, and everyone is so helpful," said Daniel Ceng of the Turkish Anadolu Agency, noting his surprise that the building was constructed solely for APEC.

Journalists work at the International Media Center for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit taking place in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Yet not everything has gone smoothly for the foreign press.

Some reporters expressed frustration over limited access to high-level meetings and unclear coverage guidelines. Even accounting for security restrictions, they said information about which events they could attend was insufficient.

"I hope there could be more clarity about how international outlets are categorized and granted access to high-level sessions," Ceng said. "It would be quite frustrating for me, as a visual journalist from a wire service, to end up unable to cover any APEC sessions or conferences."

Yi Shiaun Huang of Taiwan's Mindi World News, who covered APEC 2023 in San Francisco, said media support in Gyeongju was lacking. She pointed out how reporters were not granted access to the nearby Hwabaek International Convention Center, the summit's main venue.

“I noticed that even the opening remarks from yesterday's meeting were not open to the media,” Huang said, referring to the Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting.

"I've been told that all the reporters have to stay in the media center, with no access to the summit venue. It's a pity that we all flew here only to stay in the media center with no interaction with the delegates."

The International Media Center for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Foreign reporters appear to be largely focused on the anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi, scheduled for Thursday. The rare bilateral summit, expected to convene in Busan instead of Gyeongju, has sent correspondents rushing to adjust their travel plans.

"I think most of us are here primarily for the Xi-Trump summit, because the meeting between leaders of the strongest powers can determine how the world operates," Ceng said.

"I’m particularly looking forward to any agreements or outcomes from the Xi-Trump summit, as they could provide insights into the next steps in the ongoing trade war," a reporter from Hong Kong said. "I'm also interested in the diplomatic exchanges between China and other countries, such as Korea, especially since this marks the Chinese president's state visit to the country."