'Korea is 99% ready for APEC, rest is up to fate': PM shows confidence in final on-site review

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visits K-Business Square, a special exhibition hall showcasing Korea's industrial development and cultural heritage set up at Expo Park in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Yonhap

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visited Gyeongju Thursday, which was his eighth visit to the historic city this year, reaffirming his confidence in the government’s readiness for next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The high-profile international event returns to Korea, two decades after Busan hosted it in 2005.

As part of a two-day inspection tour, Kim reviewed key facilities including Gimhae International Airport in Busan, the main summit venue, exhibition halls and the media center.

Speaking to reporters, Kim said he believes the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD) will serve as the ideal stage to showcase Korea’s rich history and cultural heritage to the world.

“Gyeongju has an abundance of historical content that reflects Korea’s identity,” Kim said. “In this era of K-culture sweeping the global audience, it’s a fitting place to welcome global leaders. Let’s highlight Gyeongju’s cultural and historical significance, and deliver a message of integration, peace and a forward-looking scientific vision.”

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok poses for a robot drawing his portrait in the style of renowned cartoonist Lee Hyun-se at K-Business Square, a special exhibition hall showcasing Korea's industrial development and cultural heritage set up at Expo Park in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Yonhap

Kim also stressed the goal of creating an “unrivaled K-APEC,” an event that sets new standards in scale and innovation.

“From the moment world leaders land at the airport to their accommodations, security, meals and performances, I want every detail to be flawless,” he said. “This summit is another opportunity for Korea to show its best."

He further expressed hope that the APEC summit would not only promote Seoul but also spark regional cultural and tourism development, extending the spotlight to local cities such as Gyeongju.

“I hope this event will serve as a catalyst for spreading cultural and tourism opportunities beyond Seoul,” he said.

When asked how much of the preparation had been completed, Kim replied with a smile: “Ninety-nine percent is ready. The rest is up to fate."

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, second from right, and North Gyeongsang Province Gov. Lee Cheol-woo, right, hold apples in their hands while touring K-Business Square, a special exhibition hall showcasing Korea's industrial development and cultural heritage set up at Expo Park in Gyeongju, Thursday. Yonhap

North Gyeongsang Province Gov. Lee Cheol-woo, who met briefly with reporters in Gyeongju earlier in the day, highlighted the city’s thousand-year history and symbolic importance. He voiced his hope that the event would conclude successfully.

Lee noted that in addition to APEC’s core agenda, the anticipated meeting between U.S. and Chinese leaders is drawing global attention.

“The U.S.–China summit will be closely watched worldwide due to ongoing tariff tensions,” he said. “While ensuring the APEC meetings go smoothly is crucial, promoting Gyeongju to the world is just as important.”

He emphasized that few cities in the world — “perhaps only Rome and Gyeongju” — have served as capitals for over a millennium, adding that the summit, alongside the high-profile U.S.–China meeting, could help elevate Gyeongju’s status as a global tourism destination.

Addressing logistical concerns, Lee dismissed worries about accommodation shortages, recalling that during the 2005 Busan APEC event, about 3,500 visitors stayed overnight daily.

“We’re expecting up to 7,700 overnight guests per day during APEC,” he said. “Gyeongju has about 14,000 rooms available, and 7,700 of them have already been inspected and cleared for reservations.”

Calling Gyeongju “the miraculous land that unified the Three Kingdoms,” Lee half-jokingly added that while he would welcome a surprise visit from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, “it seems unlikely he’ll come all the way to Gyeongju,” hinting that behind-the-scenes contact might be taking place elsewhere.

He also stressed that while security will be at its highest level given the presence of world leaders, authorities will ensure that ordinary citizens are not inconvenienced.

A firefighting helicopter flies over the HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Yonhap

As of Thursday, the HICO APEC Leaders’ Conference Hall in Gyeongju — remodeled at a cost of 15.3 billion won ($10.6 million) — is virtually ready to receive delegates. The three-story, 31,872-square-meter convention center is now undergoing final preparations, such as carpet installation, furniture placement and sound and lighting adjustments. The second and third floors, which house the main summit chamber and VIP lounges, are under strict security control.

Adjacent to the venue is the newly built International Media Center (IMC), expected to host around 3,000 domestic and foreign journalists. The IMC includes a 450-seat briefing hall where live summit feeds will be broadcast, three briefing rooms that each accommodate about 80 reporters and separate interview booths for one-on-one sessions.