Final preparations

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (front center) walks with officials through Gyeongju Expo Grand Park during an on-site inspection of 2025 APEC Summit preparations on Friday. (Yonhap)

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (center) greets a construction worker during a site visit to the APEC exhibition hall in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Friday, checking on progress ahead of the 2025 summit. (Yonhap)

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (center) surveys the interior of the APEC exhibition space in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, receiving a briefing on the installation progress as part of his on-site inspection. (Yonhap)

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok conducted a follow-up inspection on Friday at the Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, where preparations are underway for the 2025 APEC Summit scheduled from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.

This marks one of several on-site visits the Prime Minister has made since being tasked by President Lee Jae Myung in July to oversee the summit’s infrastructure readiness.

During the visit, Kim reviewed progress on key facilities, including the APEC Economic Leaders’ Exhibition Hall and the International Media Center. He was joined by officials from the APEC Preparatory Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the local government.

Wearing hard hats and safety masks, the delegation toured ongoing construction areas and spoke directly with project managers and workers.

This visit follows earlier inspections in mid-July, during which Kim stayed in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, for multiple days to personally assess venue construction and accommodation shortages.

The 2025 summit marks the first APEC meeting hosted by South Korea in 20 years and is expected to welcome APEC member economy leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.