South Korea is implementing extensive security measures in Gyeongju ahead of next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet for the first time since the U.S.-China trade standoff resumed.
The summit, scheduled for October 31 to November 1, will bring together representatives from 21 member economies, with around 1,700 global business leaders attending the APEC CEO Summit, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
Authorities are said to have mobilised about 18,500 personnel, including police officers, SWAT teams, coast guard members, and counter-terror units. Armoured vehicles, helicopters, and anti-drone systems are also being deployed to ensure tight security across Gyeongju.
On Monday, security agencies held a series of field exercises, including underwater search drills by the coast guard at Bomun Lake, the hub of the summit’s main venues and hotels. “The coast guard is strengthening patrol and surveillance operations in the area of Bomun Lake to prevent terrorism and other illegal activities ahead of the APEC summit,” a member of the Sea Special Attack Team said.
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The security plan is being coordinated by the Presidential Security Service, with participation from the National Intelligence Service, the military, the police, and the fire department.
From Friday, the government will raise the national terrorism-alert level from “Attention” to “Caution,” while in North and South Gyeongsang provinces — which include Gyeongju — the level will be increased to “Alert,” the second highest on South Korea’s four-tier scale. The heightened alert will remain in effect through November 1.
Coast guard patrols have also been expanded to the nearby port city of Pohang, where cruise ships accommodating summit participants will dock.
The stakes are particularly high for this year’s APEC summit, which will mark Trump’s first face-to-face meeting with Xi Jinping since his return to the White House. Analysts say the encounter could set the tone for the next phase of U.S.-China relations amid ongoing trade tensions.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has directed officials to ensure that enhanced security measures do not lead to xenophobia or anti-foreigner sentiment, following recent anti-Chinese demonstrations in the country.