INTERVIEW: Mysterious Hungarian bomb maker in Korean independence fight to come alive in upcoming book by ex-Hungarian envoy SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - A Western engineer aiding Korean independence fighters in assembling bombs against imperial Japan sounds like a scene from historical fiction. But former Hungarian ambassador to South Korea Mózes Csoma found that it was real — and is preparing a book on the remarkable story of a Hungarian who joined Korea’s struggle for independence. "As a historian, I find deep meaning in the story of someone who fought for another people’s freedom," said Csoma, now dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and head of Korean Studies at Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. "It is symbolic and meaningful that a Hungarian once helped Korea in its fight for independence." Csoma, who had long studied Korean studies, founded Hungary’s first Department of Korean Studies at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in 2008 before becoming Hungary’s ambassador to South Korea in 2018. After completing his term, he established another Korean Studies program at Károli University. "About ten years ago, while researching North Korean students who studied in Hungary in the 1950s, I found a fascinating record," he recalled. "Some of those students who studied in Hungary after the Korean War helped Hungarian university students during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. They had wartime experience and taught locals how to handle weapons." That discovery inspired him to explore deeper historical ties between the two nations. His research soon focused on Magyar — a mysterious Hungarian volunteer believed to have joined Korean independence fighters in China during the 1920s. Magyar’s name appears in several documents and cultural references, sparking debate over whether he was a real person or a fictional symbol of solidarity. The figure even appears briefly in Kim Jee-woon’s 2016 film 'The Age of Shadows,' portrayed as a foreign engineer and skilled bomb maker aiding the Korean resistance. Though long assumed to be a fictional homage, Csoma's research suggests the character was based on a real historical figure. "'Magyar' normally refers to 'Hungarian,' but it is also a common Hungarian surname, so I began to suspect it was actually the name of a real person," Csoma said. "While reviewing Hungarian archives, I found records of a man named Gábor József Magyar that perfectly matched Magyar's story — that was the decisive clue." One of the earliest written references to Magyar appears in Yaksan and the Uiyeoldan (1947) by modernist writer and independence activist Park Tae-won, which became a key source in confirming Magyar's existence. By tracing his travel routes from Mongolia to Beijing and Shanghai, Csoma found records that align with the 1923 Jongno bombing incident — one of the most significant attacks carried out by Korean independence fighters. "I later found an original document showing that he returned from China to Mongolia, an unusual move for a war prisoner," Csoma said. "There are also records suggesting he traveled with independence activist Lee Tae-jun, implying he may have gone back to assist him." His forthcoming book will also unveil new findings about Magyar's later life — not directly tied to Korea's independence struggle but revealing the arc of a man whose life bridged continents and causes. Csoma's own path to Korea began with curiosity. "Korea's history impressed me deeply," he said. Like Hungary, it has existed between powerful neighbors yet managed to preserve its sovereignty and identity." He began studying Korean under Professor Gábor Osváth, who had studied in North Korea in the 1970s. "My first Korean teacher spoke with a North Korean accent," Csoma said, smiling. "So naturally, I learned Korean that way too." Beyond his historical work, Csoma is regarded as one of Europe's leading scholars on North Korea. During his ambassadorship, he was also accredited to Pyongyang and visited the North four times. "The social atmosphere in North Korea reminded me of Romania under Nicolae Ceaușescu, where I once traveled with my family in the 1980s — strong control, personality cult, a closed economy," he said. "Because of that, North Korea didn't feel unfamiliar to me." He recalled presenting his diplomatic credentials in 2019 to Kim Yong-nam, then President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. "At the end of one meeting, a North Korean official smiled and said, 'Comrade Ambassador, your Korean is excellent — but not quite our Korean. Next time, please learn our version and teach it to the South Koreans.' It made me laugh," Csoma said. When asked about access to research materials, he admitted it remains difficult. "Official archives in North Korea are closed, and many records have disappeared. Ironically, South Korea now holds more material on the North than the country itself," he said. Having studied both Koreas, Csoma sees similarities beneath the division. "The systems are different, but the people are the same," he said. "Their tone, gestures, humor — they overlap. Talking with people in Pyongyang sometimes felt like talking to South Koreans." The Department of Korean Studies he leads is expanding quickly — from 40 students at its launch in May 2023 to around 80 today, with its first graduates expected in 2027. Csoma teaches courses on topics such as comparative popular culture of North and South Korea in the 20th century, exploring films, music, and television as reflections of shared history. He plans to establish a master's program in Korean Studies by 2027 and turn Károli University into a leading hub for Korean studies in Central Europe. "That is my mission," he said. "By combining my experience as a diplomat and scholar," Csoma said, "I hope to deepen the friendship between our nations — and help future generations build on it." 2025-10-27 19:09:36

PHOTOS: As APEC opens in Gyeongju, Seoul feels the buzz SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - As the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit opened on Monday in Gyeongju, national attention has fixed on the gathering of world leaders. Though Gyeongju sits some 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the capital is equally swept up in the APEC fervor. Excitement over the high-profile event has spread across the country, with banners and displays promoting APEC visible throughout Seoul. At major landmarks such as Seoul Station and the Gwanghwamun area — frequented by foreign visitors — the atmosphere is charged with anticipation for the summit and its potential to elevate South Korea’s role on the global stage. 2025-10-27 17:48:25

Trump makes another overture to Kim, but any impending meeting remains in doubt SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed eagerness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his brief visit to South Korea this week. "I'd love to meet with him if he'd like to meet, I got along great with . If he wants to meet, I'll be in South Korea," Trump told reporters on Monday aboard Air Force One while traveling from Malaysia to Japan as part of his Asian tour, which includes South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. The remarks came after a similar overture last Friday, when Trump said he would like to meet Kim but was unsure if it would happen. "He knows I'm going there," Trump said, referring to Kim. When asked about a possible meeting, he added, "I'd be 100 percent open. I get along very well" with him, also expressing his willingness to "extend his trip" if a meeting takes place. He also described North Korea as a "sort of nuclear power," possibly hinting that he might be open to talks with Pyongyang, which has previously demanded that any meeting take place only if it is recognized as a nuclear weapons state. Despite mounting speculation that the two could meet, many remain skeptical. Adding to the uncertainty, North Korea said the previous day that its Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui is set to visit Russia and Belarus later this week, coinciding with the multilateral gathering here, raising doubts about a potential meeting between Trump and Kim. Seoul, nevertheless, remains hopeful, preparing for any last-minute developments. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young previously said that North Korea, in an unusual move, recently cleaned and beautified its side of the truce village of Panmunjom, the first such activity this year, which could indicate preparations for such a meeting. The ministry's spokesperson Koo Byung-sam also said later in the day that the APEC summit would be a "good opportunity" for the meeting. During this first term, Trump met Kim three times including the one in Hanoi which was terminated with a mere photo-op in 2019. 2025-10-27 17:27:47

K-fashion joins APEC sponsorship as young labels expand global reach SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Breaking into the global mainstream has long been a challenge for Korean fashion labels. Yet the rise of social media—coupled with the global influence of K-pop stars and K-dramas—has propelled a new wave of brands such as Matin Kim and platforms like Musinsa to the forefront of the international fashion scene, celebrated for their blend of style, affordability, and authenticity. Matin Kim, which this month made its debut on Amazon following successful offline launches in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, has been invited as an official merchandise partner for this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju. It marks the first time a fashion label has joined heavyweight corporate names such as Samsung Electronics as an APEC sponsor—symbolizing K-fashion’s elevation from niche trend to cultural emblem. “Matin Kim’s inclusion as an APEC corporate partner proves that K-fashion is no longer just a trend—it’s a new cultural code,” said brand operator HAGO HAUS in a statement. Founded in 2015 by then 23-year-old blogger-turned-designer Kim Dain, Matin Kim began as a blog shop reselling clothes from Seoul’s Dongdaemun market with less than 30,000 won in capital. By harnessing real-time online feedback, the brand pivoted to original design production in 2016 and incorporated as a company in 2018. It quickly went viral among Gen Z consumers for its minimalist, wearable designs. A 2021 investment from fashion venture firm HAGO LNF allowed Matin Kim to systemize production and distribution, expanding into premium retail spaces such as The Hyundai and online through Musinsa, while also collaborating with Levi’s and Asics. Annual revenue surged from 5 billion won in 2019 to over 100 billion won by 2024. Musinsa, the e-commerce platform that discovered and incubated emerging Korean labels including Matin Kim, has itself evolved into a global gateway for K-fashion. Cross-border transactions in Japan jumped more than 120 percent this year, with growing demand also from the United States and Southeast Asia. The platform now hosts more than 400 domestic designer brands and ships to over 200 countries. Still, whether K-fashion can match the resilience of established designer houses or withstand the volatility of fast-fashion consumers remains uncertain. Most Korean brands operate on limited production cycles and rely heavily on domestic logistics, making it difficult to compete with European luxury groups on scale or pricing. Ultimately, Matin Kim’s APEC debut and Musinsa’s overseas momentum will test whether K-fashion can translate cultural buzz into sustained economic influence and build long-term global retail and production networks. 2025-10-27 17:22:03

Seoul pushes ASEAN ties beyond trade to digital and maritime fronts SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korea is moving to expand relationship with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) beyond trade and economic front to push for common security goals amid volatility around Asia-Pacific superpowers – the United States and China. President Lee Jae Myung, in his address at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, described ASEAN as "neighbors who have overcome hardships together," calling the bloc South Korea's closest partners in both geography and spirit. Korea and ASEAN elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) last year — ASEAN's highest level of external cooperation — and Lee pledged to further advance the partnership under what he called a "CSP Vision" of contributor, springboard and partner. "South Korea will serve as a contributor to ASEAN's aspirations, a springboard for innovation and a partner for peace and stability," Lee said, announcing plans to host a special Korea-ASEAN summit in 2029 to mark the 40th anniversary of relations. The CSP Vision reflects a broader shift from earlier trade-centered engagement toward multidimensional partnership spanning political dialogue, economic integration and shared security goals. Seoul's ASEAN outreach comes as the region is caught in the crossfire between Washington and Beijing amid their tit-for-tat tariffs and trade sanctions. The strategy has already paid off. According to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Korea's total trade with the ten ASEAN member states reached $192.8 billion (about 270 trillion won) in 2024, accounting for about 16 percent of its total trade. As of September 2025, Vietnam ($69.5 billion, 97 trillion won), Singapore ($22.8 billion, 32 trillion won) and Malaysia ($20.4 billion, 29 trillion won) remain Korea's top ASEAN trading partners. Korea wants to bolster trade volume to $300 billion (about 420 trillion won) by 2030, while expanding cooperation in semiconductors, batteries, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure to diversify supply chains and hedge against global uncertainties. "Amid the U.S.-China trade confrontation, ASEAN is leading efforts to sustain an open trading order," said Park Min Joung, research professor at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security. "By engaging through ASEAN's platform, President Lee is helping Korea harness the potential of the world's largest free-trade zone at a time when the global trade order is under strain." Lee signaled that South Korea's cooperation with ASEAN will go beyond trade to non-traditional security issues such as transnational crime and maritime safety. He cited the rapid spread of scam networks across regional borders and pledged stronger coordination with ASEANAPOL to fight them collectively. "Scam operations are not problems that any single or bilateral cooperation can solve," said Park. "When Cambodia cracked down, these criminal groups simply moved to Thailand or Myanmar. By engaging through the ASEAN framework, Korea could establish a regional mechanism for joint action against cross-border crime." ASEAN's neutrality gives it added weight as a diplomatic platform for middle-power nations seeking balance amid great-power rivalry. Lee's emphasis on cooperation with ASEAN, known for its independent foreign policy, underscores Seoul's intent to pursue autonomous yet balanced engagement through Southeast Asia. As the APEC summit opens this week, Seoul's ASEAN overture serves as both a diplomatic rehearsal and a strategic signal, positioning Korea as a proactive and reliable partner in the evolving Indo-Pacific order. 2025-10-27 16:51:12

KOSPI and Nikkei hit record highs as Asian stocks ride wave of foreign buying SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Asian shares surged Monday as South Korea’s KOSPI and Japan’s Nikkei 225 both closed at all-time highs, driven by renewed foreign buying and strength in semiconductor and industrial stocks. The benchmark Kospi jumped 2.57 percent to finish at 4,042.83, marking its highest close on record. Chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix once again led the advance, joined by shipbuilding and nuclear-energy plays. Samsung Electronics surged 3.24 percent to 102,000 won ($71.18), breaking the symbolic 100,000-won barrier for the first time, while SK hynix soared 4.9 percent to 535,000 won, also reaching a record high. According to the Wall Street Journal, the KOSPI has emerged as one of the world’s best-performing equity markets this year, rising nearly 70 percent and far outpacing the Nikkei’s 24 percent gain, Germany’s DAX at 22 percent, and Britain’s FTSE 100 at 18 percent. The MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, which tracks both developed and emerging-market stocks, is up around 26 percent in 2025. Samsung and SK hynix together accounted for more than half of the Kospi’s total gain over the past four months, underscoring the dominance of Korea’s chip sector in the market’s surge. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 climbed 2.46 percent to a historic 50,512, lifted by defense and semiconductor stocks amid optimism over new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s “Strong Japan” policy agenda. Kawasaki Heavy Industries jumped 9 percent to around 12,600 yen, while chip-testing equipment maker Advantest gained 6.5 percent to 18,200 yen. Elsewhere in the region, Taiwan’s TAIEX rebounded 1.68 percent to 27,993.63 after a holiday break, while China’s Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.2 percent to just under 3,997 as of 4:15 p.m. (KST). The broad-based rally reflects growing investor confidence in Asia’s manufacturing and tech recovery, supported by global demand for artificial-intelligence infrastructure and easing concerns over U.S. interest rates. 2025-10-27 16:47:03

HOT STOCK: Samsung Heavy flies to 52-week high on multiple upsides SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Samsung Heavy Industries surged Monday to a new 52-week high on multiple catalysts — the successful domestication of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage-tank technology, speculation over a possible visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to its shipyard during APEC 2025, and a string of new orders. Shares of Samsung Heavy jumped about 16 percent to 28,800 won ($20.1) as of 3 p.m., nearly tripling from roughly 11,000 won at the start of the year. The rally followed the company’s announcement Monday morning that its first vessel equipped with the independently developed KC-2C liquefied LNG storage-tank system had completed a successful trial voyage. Until now, Korean LNG carriers had relied on the membrane-type containment systems exclusively licensed by France’s Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), forcing domestic shipbuilders to pay substantial royalties. According to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jung-ho, Korean shipbuilders paid a total of about 7.4 trillion won in royalties to GTT between 1995 and this year. Samsung Heavy’s KC-2C design is reportedly comparable to GTT’s membrane system but more efficient in both construction and operation — and, crucially, free from costly licensing fees. Investor sentiment was also lifted by a swelling orderbook. U.S. LNG company Delfin Midstream has chosen Samsung Heavy as contractor for its first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) production unit off the coast of Louisiana, with the second and third units expected to follow. FLNG facilities extract and liquefy gas at sea before loading it directly onto tankers — a technically demanding process requiring advanced offshore-engineering capabilities. The deal marks a major turning point for Samsung Heavy’s offshore-plant division, which has logged more than 1 trillion won in losses in recent years. The builder also secured a major FLNG order from Italy’s ENI Coral in July for a project in Mozambique, putting it close to meeting its annual order target. Should Delfin proceed with two more plants, the company is likely to achieve the target in full. Momentum is also returning to the container segment. Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine last week placed an order for seven container vessels — a welcome boost in a market where Chinese shipyards still command more than 70 percent of global capacity. According to IBK Securities analyst Oh Ji-hoon, Samsung Heavy’s third-quarter consolidated operating profit is expected to reach 120 billion won, up roughly 58 percent from a year earlier. “If the company secures the remaining FLNG and LNG contracts, it should comfortably hit its annual targets, with offshore-plant revenue leading the earnings improvement,” Oh said. Speculation that President Donald Trump may visit a Korean shipyard during his APEC tour further buoyed the sector. As of 3 p.m., HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 4.6 percent to 620,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean gained 3.3 percent to 139,500 won. Nam Chae-min, a researcher at Korea Investment & Securities, said Samsung Heavy “outlined multiple collaboration plans with U.S. shipowners during a recent conference call,” adding that a Trump visit could accelerate discussions on the MASGA Project, a proposed maritime-technology partnership between the two nations. 2025-10-27 16:46:55

HOT STOCK: Hyundai E&C uplifted by milestone nuclear energy deal in Texas SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Hyundai Engineering & Construction rose sharply Monday, touching as high as 71,000 won ($50) before closing at 69,100 won, up nearly 4 percent, as the KOSPI finished at a record high. The rally followed news that the Korean builder will play a key role in front-end engineering design for four large nuclear reactors in Texas, marking a major step toward entering the U.S. nuclear energy market. The project in Amarillo is part of a vast private power grid and artificial intelligence campus being developed by U.S. energy firm Fermi America. Hyundai’s contract covers site layout planning, cooling system assessments, and budgeting forecasts — work that underscores its deepening expertise and ambition to expand into high-value nuclear infrastructure overseas. Analysts say the deal could serve as a gateway for Hyundai’s broader participation in the U.S. energy transition and open the door to future construction or supply contracts through 2026. “This engagement reflects Hyundai’s strategic shift toward stable, high-capital energy projects in an evolving global market,” said Lee Joon-hyuk, a Seoul-based energy market strategist. Jun Jang-moon, senior analyst at KB Securities, described the partnership with Fermi as “a milestone project in the U.S. nuclear energy market.” He noted that although the agreement remains at the basic design stage, “the plan to build four large-scale nuclear reactors in the American market holds considerable significance,” adding that it could pave the way for a series of new project launches and investment inflows in the coming year. 2025-10-27 16:46:15

APEC Week: from RM to hanbok, K-culture competes for global spotlight SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Iconic K-pop star G-Dragon has set the tone for this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju with a playful 75-second promotional video featuring President Lee Jae Myung as a runway marshaller guiding arriving aircraft. Another K-pop figurehead, BTS leader RM, will carry the cultural baton, delivering a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit before executives from 21 member economies, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. K-pop's prominent presence underscores how deeply it has become embedded in Korea's modern identity — now taking center stage on a platform once reserved for politics and trade. Alongside it, other arms of Korean soft power — food, beauty, and arts — are orchestrating a full-scale showcase for visiting global dignitaries. K-Food: from dinner table to global branding A royal feast with a contemporary twist, inspired by the Netflix hit "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty," will be curated by Korean-American chef Edward Lee, famed for his Netflix show "Culinary Class Wars," in partnership with chefs from Lotte Hotel. Beyond the banquet hall, food brands are vying for exposure. CJ CheilJedang will offer Bibigo cup rice, tteokbokki, and seaweed snacks at the APEC media center and delegate lodgings, while Nongshim is supplying 10,000 servings of Shin Ramyun in collaboration with Netflix's animated feature "KPop Demon Hunters," complete with on-site tasting booths. Lotte GRS will serve Angel-in-us Coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the outdoor K-Food Zone, joined by Lotte Wellfood and Lotte Chilsung with Pepero, Chilsung Cider, and Icis water. OB Beer, exclusive sponsor of the CEO Summit, will pour Cass Fresh, Cass Zero, and Cass Lemon Squeeze from a rooftop booth at the Gyeongju Arts Center. Other local favorites include Whoo Ullim Water by LG H&H, Kyochon fried chicken, hy's Helicobacter Project Will probiotic drink, and Paris Baguette desserts like gotgam pound cake and seoritae castella. Food trucks from Kyochon Chicken, Cheongnyeon Dabang, and Okdongsik will circle the main venues to serve delegates a taste of Korea on the go. K-Beauty: tradition meets technology K-Beauty — a byword for innovation and refinement — will take over a hall at Hwangnyongwon, where LG Household & Health Care will exhibit its royal skincare line The History of Whoo Hwanyu, complemented by a live lacquerware demonstration by artisan Son Dae-hyun. Amorepacific will stage makeup shows and interactive experiences, while APR Corp. provides its Booster Pro device to international delegates. Makeup artist brand Jung Saem Mool introduces AI-powered iris color analysis for personalized beauty, and Gumi University hosts hands-on sessions under its K-Aesthetic program. Olive Young joins in with APEC-themed promotions at its Gyeongju stores, offering discounts and complimentary cleansers. Guests at Lahan Select Gyeongju will receive exclusive sample kits. Local fashion label Matin Kim, chosen as an official APEC partner, will distribute custom wallets and tote bags. The Korea Tourism Organization has also connected its Visit Korea platform to APEC's official site and opened a K-Goods Pop-Up at Gyeongju Station featuring souvenirs such as wine stoppers and "K-gat" ornaments — modern tributes to the traditional Korean hat made famous again through "KPop Demon Hunters." K-Arts: heritage in the global spotlight As night falls, Gyeongju — famed for its ethereal lighting — transforms into a living museum. The Hanbok Fashion Show will light up Woljeong Bridge under the theme "Mystery of a Thousand Years, Fly to Tomorrow." The show will weave together Korea's five heritage pillars — Hanbok, Hansik, Hanok, Hanji, and Hangeul — with AI-enhanced designs and Shilla-inspired royal costumes to show how tradition evolves into innovation. At the National Museum of Gyeongju, the exhibition "Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige" brings together all six royal crowns of Silla for the first time, alongside gold belts and ornaments that reveal the era's artistry and hierarchy. Meanwhile, at Gyeongju Expo Park, the National Jeongdong Theater Troupe will stage "Pure Heart," a digital reinterpretation of the folktale Simcheongjeon, blending classic storytelling with cutting-edge media to celebrate devotion and modern creativity alike. 2025-10-27 16:45:45

APEC Week: Beyond Trump and Xi, APEC leaders bring diverse agenda SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - As South Korea prepares to host the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju this week, global attention is fixed on the expected encounter between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. But away from the media spotlight, many of the region's other leaders are arriving with their own priorities — from digital transformation and green energy to demographic change and inclusive growth. According to APEC, this year's discussions will center on the three pillars of "Connect, Innovate, and Prosper," building on ongoing work to strengthen digital transformation, respond to demographic shifts, and promote sustainable development. The Gyeongju meetings are also expected to explore ways to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, small business support, and the creative economy. This year's summit is being held under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper." South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agenda is designed to address "the social and economic shifts brought by technology and aging populations" while fostering innovation and inclusive development across the region. Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is expected to focus on the challenges of an aging society and labor shortages, issues that Japan has been confronting for years. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is likely to emphasize digital connectivity and regional supply-chain resilience, continuing Singapore's long-standing role as a bridge for economic cooperation in Southeast Asia. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has consistently promoted the formalization of informal economies, echoing APEC's goal of making growth more inclusive. From Latin America, Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, is attending her first major multilateral meeting since taking office, with an emphasis on sustainable energy and green transition. Chile's President Gabriel Boric and Peru's President Dina Boluarte are also in attendance, maintaining Latin America's active participation in APEC policy discussions. In a statement to Aju Press, the Peruvian Embassy in Seoul said on Monday that Peru "fully shares the principles and values of APEC, particularly the promotion of trade and investment liberalization," adding that it continues to advance the priorities it set during its 2024 chairmanship — including the use of clean hydrogen, reducing food loss and waste, and supporting the transition of small and medium-sized enterprises from the informal to the formal economy. The embassy also said it "commends Korea's focus on demographic change, artificial intelligence, and cultural and creative industries," underscoring both countries' efforts to make APEC more relevant to everyday citizens. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is traveling to South Korea after visiting Malaysia, said in an October 22 statement published on the Beehive, the official website of the New Zealand Government, that his goal is to "deepen relationships with regional leaders and unlock new opportunities for New Zealand." He described the Indo-Pacific as "the world's most economically dynamic region with nine of our top ten trading partners" and said that building effective partnerships across it "is a top priority for this government." Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto is expected to push for closer cooperation on infrastructure and energy transition, while Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is likely to focus on green technology and free trade — both recurring themes in Canberra's regional agenda. 2025-10-27 16:39:03