- Second Advance Visit for Leaders’ Meeting with APEC Member Economies -

The Preparatory Office for APEC 2025 hosted the Second Advance Visit for APEC 2025 Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Gyeongju from Tuesday, September 30 to Wednesday, October 1.

* Launched as a ministerial meeting in 1989 and elevated to a leaders’ meeting in 1993, APEC now comprises 21 member economies including Korea, the United States, and Japan. APEC aims to accelerate economic integration and foster shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Second Advance Visit, which included site visits to the venues of Leaders’ Meeting and APEC Economic Leaders’ Dinner, and principal airport, was organized to share progress updates on the preparations for the AELM with the APEC member economies. Approximately 180 delegates from 21 member economies, Korean government agencies (such as the Presidential Security Service, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Korea Airports Corporation, and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and the APEC Secretariat participated in the event.

On the first day, during an informal Q&A session held as a part of the welcome dinner, participants asked various questions related to the AELM venue, APEC Economic Leaders’ Dinner, immigration procedures, and media operations among many areas. With the AELM less than a month away, delegations expressed particular interest in the newly constructed International Media Center (IMC) and accommodations, as well as great expectations for Gyeongju.

On the morning of the second day, participants had an opportunity to look around key facilities including venues for the AELM (Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center), the APEC Economic Leaders’ Dinner (Lahan Select Gyeongju), and the CEO Summit (Gyeongju Arts Center). As these are the main areas used by Economic Leaders and Business Leaders, delegations took two hours to thoroughly review the overall travel routes, facilities, and security arrangements for the AELM.

In the afternoon, the delegations visited the Gimhae International Airport, the APEC Spouse Program venues (Bulguksa Temple and Wooyang Art Museum), and the International Media Center. At the airport, with the support of the Busan Regional Office of Aviation and the 5th Air Mobility Wing, delegates walked through key airport facilities and reviewed Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) procedures. At the newly built International Media Center, delegations expressed their satisfaction with the preparation status as they looked around the facilities such as the International Broadcasting Center, briefing rooms, and media desks.

Following the site visits, participants divided into breakout sessions—protocol, security, and media—to have in-depth Q&A sessions for each sector. Based on their in-person site visits, delegations actively asked questions, reflecting their meticulous preparations for the AELM.

Ambassador Kimo Lim of the Preparatory Office for the APEC 2025 emphasized that the Korean Government and government agencies, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and the City of Gyeongju will continue to work together as one team and devote utmost efforts in all aspects—including protocol, cultural and business events, and infrastructure preparations—until the very end for the successful hosting of the AELM.

The APEC 2025 Economic Leaders’ Week, in which Economic Leaders, Senior Officials, and Business Leaders of 21 member economies will participate, will be held in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, from October 27 to November 1. The AELM will be held from Friday, October 31 to Saturday, November 1, and be preceded by the Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (October 27–28), the CEO Summit (October 28–31), and the APEC Ministerial Meeting (October 29–30).