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Lee hails Philippines as ‘special friend’ during summit with Marcos
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held a summit Friday with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their strategic partnership. Lee called the Philippines a “special friend,” citing the country’s participation in the Korean War (1950-1953). “The Korean people have not forgotten the Philippines’ contribution, de
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Will APEC adopt Gyeongju declaration?
As global leaders gather in the South Korean historic city of Gyeongju for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, all eyes are on whether the forum’s 21 member economies will be able to make a joint declaration this year. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday that the members were “very close” to finalizing the declaration, which would cap two days of summit-level discussions on Friday and Saturday. As the chair and host of this year’s APEC meetings, Seoul has pushed
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Lee calls APEC answer to global challenges as Gyeongju summit opens
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung raised the curtain on the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Friday with a call for unity, saying the forum holds the answer to the world’s current turbulence. Presiding over the first day of the two-day gathering, Lee called on leaders and representatives from the 21 member economies — including the United States and China — to rekindle APEC’s core spirit of cooperation, connectivity and openness at an increasin
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Why did Xi Jinping choose a four-star hotel?
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s choice of accommodation during his visit to Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, is drawing attention, as the Chinese delegation opted for a four-star hotel over apparently more luxurious options. Xi, who landed in Busan on Thursday morning for a three-day visit here, his first in 11 years, held a much-anticipated bilateral summit with US President Donald Trump in the city before traveling to Gyeongju later that day. He is attending the APEC Summit on Friday, and o
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Korea, UAE to strengthen AI cooperation
United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan invited President Lee Jae Myung to visit the UAE in November during their first-ever meeting held on the sidelines of the APEC summit on Friday, the presidential office said. At the meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Lee welcomed the crown prince to Korea, noting that “Gyeongju is the very city that engaged in exchange with the Islamic world about a thousand years ago.” He described the UAE as “a very st
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Lee meets China's Xi for 1st time at APEC summit venue
President Lee Jae Myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time on Friday as Xi attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju. Lee welcomed Xi upon his arrival at the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center, the main summit venue, at around 10 a.m. Xi arrived in South Korea Thursday for a three-day state visit, marking his first visit to the country in 11 years. The two leaders are scheduled to hold their first summit on Saturday.
Oct. 31, 2025 -
White House shares photo of Trump looking at mug shot T-shirt in meeting with Lee
The White House has shared a photo of US President Donald Trump looking over a T-shirt imprinted with his mug shot on a wall of Trump memorabilia when he met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in South Korea earlier this week. The White House posted the photo on X on Wednesday of Lee and Trump viewing the items when they met for a summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju that day, including the shirt with the mug shot and the words, "NEVER SURRENDER." In the photo, Lee appears to be talking
Oct. 31, 2025 -
US, Malaysian defense chiefs renew commitment to security in South China Sea
The defense chiefs of the United States and Malaysia on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security in the South China Sea and took steps to firm up defense cooperation, amid concerns over China's growing assertiveness in the strategically vital waterway. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin held talks on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus, an annual regional defense for
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Lee, Albanese vow broader partnership, economic ties
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, underscoring the long-standing friendship between the two nations. During the summit, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Lee said he expects the two countries to expand cooperation across a broad range of areas amid “an increasingly complex global environment.” In
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Seoul wants to take part in Vietnam’s economic growth: Lee
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday expressed Seoul’s desire to take part in Vietnam's growth, highlighting the Southeast Asian nation’s rapid development. Lee made the remarks during a meeting with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, who arrived in South Korea ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit set to open Friday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. “Vietnam is achieving remarkable growth, with an annual average rate close to 7 percent,” Lee said in his opening
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Trump praises Lee as ‘best leader’ in negotiations after nuclear-powered sub talks
US President Donald Trump praised South Korean President Lee Jae Myung as the “best leader” in trade negotiations and lauded Seoul’s pursuit of a nuclear-powered submarine, Seoul’s presidential office said Thursday. Kim Nam-jun, spokesperson for the presidential office, briefed reporters on the atmosphere of Wednesday's South Korea-US summit and the special state dinner hosted by Lee in Gyeongju, saying Trump repeatedly expressed admiration for the South Korean leader. During the summit, which i
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Takaichi visits South Korea to hold talks with Lee, Xi
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived at Gimhae International Airport in Busan on Thursday, marking her first visit to South Korea since her inauguration. Takaichi, who took office on Oct. 21, landed at 3 p.m., kicking off a three-day visit to attend a series of events related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which opens Friday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Her schedule begins with a bilateral summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, about
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Trump, Xi agree to cool trade tensions at Busan summit
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reached agreement on a tariff truce, describing the summit between the two as “amazing.” Trump explained that he agreed to reduce tariffs on Chinese imports in exchange for Beijing resuming large-scale purchases of US soybeans, maintaining exports of rare-earth minerals, and cracking down on the inflow of illicit fentanyl into the US. The outcome followed an 100-minute meet
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Trump says willing to return to meet Kim Jong-un
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he could return to the Korean Peninsula to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as he departed South Korea after wrapping up his two-day visit. According to local reports, Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One for Washington that he was too busy now to meet and talk with Kim. Trump was in South Korea for summits with President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He spent a night in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province — the ho
Oct. 30, 2025 -
APEC members close to agreeing Gyeongju Declaration: FM Cho
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday that the 21 APEC member economies “are very close” to finalizing a Gyeongju Declaration to be made after the APEC summit on Friday and Saturday. As the 2025 chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, South Korea is pursuing the declaration, which requires consensus among all 21 members at the conclusion of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Saturday. The key question is whether a statement will be
Oct. 30, 2025