Gyeongju Declared Temporary Capital Amid APEC Summit (President Lee Jae-myung)

Gyeongju Declared Temporary Capital as APEC Summit Kicks Off

On October 29, 2025, Gyeongju was declared the temporary capital of South Korea in conjunction with hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. This decision reflects the government's commitment to ensuring a successful APEC Summit and injecting new vitality into the South Korean economy. Hosting the APEC Summit in Gyeongju is expected to elevate South Korea's economic standing and strengthen economic cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, the presence of leaders from major nations at this meeting is anticipated to further solidify South Korea's diplomatic position. The government plans to use this APEC Summit as a stepping stone for innovative growth of the South Korean economy and to seek strategies to prepare for the future. The declaration of Gyeongju as the temporary capital is part of these efforts, symbolically demonstrating the government's full support for the successful hosting of the APEC Summit. Gyeongju is expected to play a crucial role as a hub for international cooperation and exchange, serving as a central location for the South Korean economy. The government will dedicate all efforts to leading a new leap forward for the South Korean economy centered around Gyeongju.

Key Figures Converge in Gyeongju to Support APEC Summit

President Lee Jae-myung, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Policy Director Kim Yong-beom, and National Security Advisor Wi Sung-rak, along with other key figures, have all traveled to Gyeongju for the APEC Summit. Additionally, the heads of economic ministries, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Gu Yun-cheol and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan, will also remain in Gyeongju to support the APEC Summit. The large-scale attendance of key government officials emphasizes the importance of the APEC Summit and demonstrates the government's commitment to its successful hosting. In particular, the participation of economic ministry heads signals the government's active involvement in economic cooperation-related agendas to be discussed at the APEC Summit. The government plans to strengthen economic cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region through this APEC Summit and lay the foundation for the continued growth of the South Korean economy. To this end, the government will discuss economic cooperation plans through bilateral meetings with the heads of state attending the APEC Summit and identify specific cooperative projects. In addition, the government will host various side events during the APEC Summit to showcase the attractiveness of the South Korean economy and make efforts to attract foreign investment.

President Lee Jae-myung to Deliver Keynote Address at APEC CEO Summit

President Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit on the 29th. In this keynote address, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to present the vision and future growth strategy of the South Korean economy and emphasize the importance of economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to explain the government's policy direction for innovative growth of the South Korean economy and call for active investment and participation from businesses. Furthermore, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to emphasize South Korea's role in the economic co-prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and propose concrete measures to strengthen cooperation with countries in the region. The APEC CEO Summit is an important event attended by major corporate CEOs in the Asia-Pacific region, and President Lee Jae-myung's keynote address is expected to enhance the status of the South Korean economy and serve as a positive signal for attracting foreign investment. The government will use this keynote address to promote the attractiveness of the South Korean economy and further strengthen efforts to attract investment from foreign companies.

Series of Bilateral Summits with Key National Leaders

During the APEC Summit, President Lee Jae-myung will concentrate diplomatic efforts through a series of bilateral summits with key national leaders. In particular, the South Korea-United States summit with US President Donald Trump is scheduled for the afternoon of the 29th, and the first summit with newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will be held on the 30th. Additionally, the South Korea-China summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled for November 1st. President Lee Jae-myung is expected to discuss economic cooperation plans with each country through these summits and seek cooperation to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process. In particular, the South Korea-United States summit is expected to include in-depth discussions on ways for the two countries to cooperate to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, and the South Korea-Japan summit is expected to include discussions on future-oriented relations along with historical issues. Furthermore, the South Korea-China summit is expected to emphasize China's constructive role in the Korean Peninsula issue along with ways to strengthen economic cooperation. In addition, President Lee Jae-myung will host Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's official visit to South Korea on November 2nd, focusing on strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries.

South Korea-United States Summit to Discuss Economic Cooperation and Security Issues

President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump will hold a South Korea-United States summit today (29th) to conduct in-depth discussions on strengthening economic cooperation and security issues between the two countries. In particular, this summit is expected to focus on joint response measures to the recent global supply chain crisis, as well as measures to attract US investment to foster South Korea's high-tech industries. In addition, joint response measures to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, as well as cooperation between the two countries to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process, are also expected to be discussed. President Lee Jae-myung is expected to request the active support and cooperation of the United States at this summit and reaffirm the strength of the South Korea-United States alliance. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to depart on the afternoon of the 30th.

APEC Summit, a Stepping Stone for South Korea's Economic Leap

President Lee Jae-myung will attend the first session of the APEC Summit plenary meeting on the 31st and the second session of the APEC Summit plenary meeting on November 1st, presenting the vision and future growth strategy of the South Korean economy and emphasizing the importance of economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to explain South Korea's efforts for digital economic transformation and climate change response, and propose concrete measures to strengthen cooperation with countries in the region. Furthermore, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to emphasize South Korea's commitment to expanding free trade and urge the swift ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The government plans to enhance the status of the South Korean economy through this APEC Summit and strengthen economic cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, laying the foundation for the continued growth of the South Korean economy.