South Korea's factory output slips in September, but investment surge signals upbeat outlook SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - South Korea’s industrial production dipped in September as auto exports faltered under the weight of higher U.S. tariffs, but a sharp rebound in capital investment suggested that the manufacturing sector may be regaining its footing amid a global semiconductor boom and signs of easing trade frictions. According to data released Friday by the Ministry of Data and Statistics, manufacturing output fell 1.2 percent from the previous month — the first decline since May. The drop was driven largely by an 18.3 percent plunge in automobile shipments, which more than offset a nearly 20 percent surge in semiconductor production. Manufacturing inventories rose 2.2 percent on month, while the average factory operating rate slipped 1.2 percent, leading to a modest decline in the inventory circulation index. The weakness in manufacturing contrasted with strength elsewhere in the economy. Service-sector output rose 1.8 percent from August, buoyed by a new round of government stimulus vouchers that spurred consumer spending. Overall industrial activity increased 1 percent on the month. Output grew across most categories, led by a 5.8 percent increase in wholesale and retail trade, boosted by strong demand for machinery and household goods. The financial and insurance segment expanded 2.3 percent, supported by higher margin lending tied to active stock trading. By contrast, arts, sports and leisure services fell 8.4 percent, reflecting weaker consumer sentiment as households and firms shifted toward defensive, investment-oriented spending. Retail sales slipped 0.1 percent from the previous month in September, marking the second consecutive decline. Although the pace of contraction slowed from August’s 2.5 percent drop, the figures still pointed to weakening consumer demand. By category, sales of durable goods — including smartphones, computers, and home appliances — rose 3.9 percent, though a decline in automobile sales offset the gains. Meanwhile, semi-durable goods such as clothing, shoes, and bags fell 5.7 percent. Nondurable goods, including gasoline and diesel, edged down 0.1 percent, extending the overall downward trend in consumption. The outlook, however, appears more upbeat. Capital investment jumped 12.7 percent in September, reversing a 1.3 percent decline in August, as companies ramped up spending on shipbuilding and semiconductor fabrication facilities. Machinery investment climbed 9.9 percent, while transport-equipment investment jumped 19.5 percent. A more optimistic market outlook across the manufacturing sector stimulated by a series of strong earnings reports by major South Korean companies - including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix - encouraged companies to expand capital spending. Momentum indicators also hinted at a potential turning point. The cyclical coincident index, which measures current economic conditions, rose 0.2 points, while the leading index — a gauge of future trends — added 0.1 point, supported by firmer export and import prices and a buoyant stock market. Experts say the combination of robust investment and resilient service activity could cushion the economy from near-term trade headwinds, particularly if semiconductor demand continues to strengthen through year’s end. “Despite weaker investment sentiment stemming from growing domestic and global policy uncertainty, demand for high value-added memory semiconductors is expected to remain solid, supporting continued strength in the semiconductor industry through the latter half of the year," the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade noted in a report. 2025-10-31 09:24:37

OPINION: China's rare earth leverage tests America — and its allies SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - At the APEC summit in Gyeongju, the summit between the leaders of the United States and China drew intense global scrutiny. After months of escalating trade friction, the world watched as Washington and Beijing sought a breakthrough. No major trade deal emerged. Still, the two sides agreed to a temporary pause in their hostilities: China postponed its planned export restrictions on rare earth elements, announced on Oct. 9, while the United States suspended its retaliatory 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods. These concessions, however, did little to mask the deep divide between the two powers. Since trade talks began in April, the United States has levied a 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports, and Beijing has responded with its own rare earth export controls and a 125 percent tariff on American products. A brief truce reached in June unraveled by September, giving way to a new cycle of sanctions and countermeasures. At its core, this standoff is not about tariffs or trade deficits — it is about power. The United States is determined to preserve its global leadership, while China, under Xi Jinping, seeks to demonstrate the superiority of its state-led model. Xi’s “China Dream” and “Made in China 2025” initiatives are not mere slogans; they represent Beijing’s ambition to dominate 80 percent of the world’s manufacturing sectors within the next decade. Washington, meanwhile, has revived its own industrial agenda. Under both Trump’s “reshoring” push and former President Biden’s “friend-shoring” approach, the U.S. has sought to rebuild its manufacturing base and secure its supply chains. The White House claims to have attracted $8.9 trillion in investment commitments, not including $350 billion pledged by South Korea. Beijing’s latest weapon in this economic contest — restrictions on rare earth exports — has sent tremors through U.S. industry. The new rules, due to take effect in November and December, target not only the export of raw materials but also foreign firms that use Chinese rare earths in dual-use technologies, such as defense components. South Korea, which depends entirely on imported rare earths, finds itself in a precarious position. Last year, Beijing warned Korean firms against exporting products containing Chinese rare earths to U.S. military contractors. More recently, China sanctioned five subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, signaling its readiness to pressure American allies. Yet Seoul missed an opportunity at the APEC summit to address these mounting economic risks. Rather than leveraging the gathering to strengthen its trade resilience or mediate between Washington and Beijing, the South Korean government focused its diplomatic bandwidth on potential talks between North Korea and the United States. South Korea’s vulnerability underscores an urgent need to diversify its rare earth supply. But doing so will not be easy. Most producers are aligned with China or located in the Global South — regions where Seoul’s diplomatic reach remains limited. The upcoming G20 summit in South Africa could offer a second chance. By forging partnerships with emerging producers in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, South Korea can begin to build a more secure and independent supply chain — and avoid being caught in the middle of another great-power struggle. About the author Joo Jae-woo is a professor at Kyung Hee University and has served as a visiting scholar at the Brookings Institution and at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Sam Nunn School of International Affairs. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-31 08:35:48

Nvidia's Jensen Huang steals the show in Seoul, outshining Trump and Xi SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) -Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping may have dominated global headlines during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events in South Korea, but the figure who truly captivated the Korean public was the chief executive of the world’s most valuable company. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang drew hundreds of reporters the moment he landed in Seoul on Thursday. By evening, the southern Gangnam district had nearly ground to a halt as crowds swarmed in hopes of catching a glimpse of the leather-jacket-clad tech star sharing fried chicken with the chiefs of Korea’s two most valuable companies — Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun. The unlikely sight of the three titans squeezed into a “Kkangbu Chicken” restaurant drew stunned diners and waves of onlookers seeking autographs, eventually forcing police to erect safety lines and control foot traffic around the busy streets leading to COEX. The trio later headed to the GeForce Gamer Festival, where Nvidia celebrated its 25th year in the Korean market. “Kkangbu” — a Korean word for a close friend popularized globally by the Netflix hit Squid Game — took on new meaning as Huang presented his Korean kkangbu with Nvidia DGX systems, the company’s signature AI supercomputing hardware, hinting at “great news” he plans to unveil during his visit. Nvidia is widely expected to announce new partnerships with Samsung and Hyundai before his departure. At the GeForce event, Huang invited the two tycoons onstage to roaring cheers, underscoring the deepening ties between Nvidia and Korea’s industrial giants. The visit came just as Nvidia became the world’s first $5 trillion company, after its stock rose 3 percent to close at a $5.03 trillion valuation on Wednesday. “Nvidia has been in South Korea for a very long time, with the GeForce in every PC bang,” Huang said, using the Korean term for internet cafés, expressing his gratitude to local gamers and consumers. Lee recalled that Samsung memory was first used in Nvidia graphics cards 25 years ago — the spark of his long-running friendship with Huang. Chung highlighted future cooperation, saying Nvidia chips will be core to autonomous cars and robots, and that Hyundai aims to explore connections between gaming and AI technologies. The festival also spotlighted collaborations with Korea’s game studios. NCSOFT unveiled trailers for “Aion 2” and “Sinder City,” the latter set in a post-apocalyptic Seoul. Both titles rely on advanced graphics enabled by Nvidia technology, said Baek Seung-wook, the company’s chief business officer. Krafton introduced an AI-powered in-game character, “PUBG Ally,” built with Nvidia’s ACE technology. Far from the political buzz in Gyeongju, Seoul offered a different stage: a fusion of Korean food, global tech hardware, and game-industry soft power, all wrapped in an unabashed display of local enthusiasm for the man many here see as the face of the AI era. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-31 07:34:13

Seoul nears nuke submarine ambition upon Trump blessing SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - Whether by catering to personal ego or through a calculated diplomatic playbook, Seoul secured what had long seemed unattainable: U.S. backing for a nuclear-powered submarine, delivered during U.S. President Donald Trump's brief visit ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Before departing Korea, Trump posted Thursday that Seoul would build its "Nuclear Powered Submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyards," signaling his approval of South Korea joining the exclusive club of nations operating nuclear-propelled submarines. During their summit prior to the announcement, President Lee Jae Myung formally requested U.S. support for securing nuclear fuel for submarine propulsion — the first time a South Korean leader has raised the matter directly with a U.S. president. Lee argued that diesel-electric submarines lack the underwater endurance needed to track North Korean and Chinese submarines, while nuclear propulsion would enhance regional surveillance and reduce the burden on U.S. naval assets. "Nuclear-powered submarines offer far greater endurance, speed and survivability, giving South Korea meaningful deterrent capability," said Shin Seung-ki, research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA). "For Seoul and Washington, the interests converge — South Korea deters the North, and the U.S. balances China." Nuclear-powered submarines rely on compact reactors rather than diesel engines, enabling months-long underwater operation and a larger weapons payload. Such vessels fall into two broad categories: SSBNs, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and SSNs, which are conventionally armed. Seoul’s goal is an SSN, requiring nuclear fuel solely for propulsion. But the project touches one of the most sensitive elements of the alliance: whether nuclear fuel supplied to South Korea can be used for military purposes. Under the U.S.–ROK Atomic Energy Agreement, Seoul must obtain Washington's explicit consent to receive nuclear fuel or related reactor technology. Any amendment would require congressional review and lengthy negotiations — hurdles Trump's approval alone cannot erase. South Korea already operates advanced submarine platforms and is developing small modular reactor (SMR) technology that could eventually support naval propulsion. Still, experts emphasize that integrating such systems into an operational SSN requires time, funding and strict safeguards. "Given Korea's shipbuilding strength and reactor expertise, the project is technically feasible within seven to nine years," Shin said. "Once the National Assembly approves funding, forming the project team, designing, building and testing the vessel would follow that timeline." For Trump, the announcement dovetails with his push to revive U.S. shipbuilding and reinforce industrial partnerships that generate American jobs. For Seoul, it opens a rare diplomatic window to advance an agenda long stalled by proliferation concerns. The move also aligns with Trump's tariff strategy. Seoul's $350 billion investment package — including $200 billion in cash and $150 billion in shipbuilding cooperation under the MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) initiative — directly involves the U.S. industry that will now host South Korea’s first nuclear-powered submarine program. The political calculus proved mutually beneficial: Lee projected decisive national-security leadership, while Trump showcased a strategic and industrial win rooted in allied cooperation. 2025-10-30 17:35:08

Court rules NewJeans must remain under ADOR, rejects bid for independence SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - The future of K-pop girl group NewJeans — who shot to global stardom upon their 2022 debut — has been thrown into uncertainty after a Seoul court ruled in favor of their agency HYBE on Thursday. The court determined that all five members remain exclusively bound to ADOR, a HYBE sublabel, until 2029, regardless of their claims of contract breaches and unfair treatment. The decision extinguishes hopes for an early stage comeback for NewJeans, who severed ties with ADOR after the ouster of founder and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin last year over her alleged attempt to seize control of the label from HYBE. Min and NewJeans have since been engaged in separate legal battles against ADOR. The conflict spiraled into an ugly public feud beginning in April 2024, when Min accused HYBE and its chairman Bang Si-hyuk of copying NewJeans' concept for the debut of another girl group. HYBE and Bang are global names associated with BTS. Shares of HYBE jumped 5 percent to close at 324,500 won upon the removal of legal uncertainty. Following Min's resignation in August 2024, the NewJeans members notified ADOR of their unilateral termination of the contract. None of the teenage members attended the ruling on Thursday. In its decision, the court stated that ADOR's dismissal of Min "cannot be seen as a violation of the contract," adding that her media campaign "was not aimed at protecting NewJeans but at removing the group from ADOR." After mediation efforts collapsed, NewJeans resumed brief activities under the name NJZ, but their comeback was halted after a concert in Hong Kong in March when ADOR filed an injunction blocking the group from engaging in commercial promotions. NewJeans submitted multiple objections and appeals, all of which were dismissed — effectively preventing the members from performing or promoting without ADOR's approval since March. "The dismissal of former CEO Min Hee-jin alone does not prove ADOR lacked the capability or plans to manage NewJeans," the court said. "The contract does not stipulate that Min must personally oversee the group, and although she could have remained as an outside director or producer, she voluntarily resigned." HYBE has maintained that NewJeans can continue activities under ADOR without Min's involvement, claiming it has preparations in place for a full-length album comeback. Following the ruling, NewJeans' legal representative, Shin & Kim, said the team would immediately appeal. "We respect the court's decision," the firm said, "but the trust between NewJeans and ADOR has already been irreparably damaged. Under the current circumstances, it would be difficult for the members to return to ADOR and resume normal activities." The verdict is also a setback for Min, who recently established her new agency, OOAK (One of A Kind). NewJeans became an instant phenomenon upon their debut for reshaping K-pop's sound and visual identity and earned the label of “the idol for idols.” 2025-10-30 17:20:14

Asian stocks end flat Thursday as U.S.–China talks yield little beyond gestures SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - Asian stock markets ended mostly flat on Thursday, as the highly anticipated summit between the United States and China produced little beyond diplomatic optics, offering no meaningful signals on trade or geopolitical issues. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.2 percent to 4,087, after a volatile session in which the index tested the 4,100 level and touched a fresh intraday high of 4,146.72. Among large caps, Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Electronics, and SK hynix climbed 3.6 percent, 1.8 percent, 2.7 percent, and 6.9 percent, respectively. Their gains were attributed to renewed semiconductor momentum and relief after Seoul and Washington concluded negotiations on their tariff and investment deal. Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.04 percent to 51,325.61, with investors largely maintaining a wait-and-see stance ahead of the Bank of Japan’s next policy direction. China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.7 percent to 3,986.90, as investors locked in recent profits and stayed cautious ahead of the U.S.–China meeting, which offered little clarity on economic or trade cooperation. Taiwan’s TAIEX slipped 0.03 percent to 28,287.53. The market stayed directionless as weakness in U.S. tech stocks, combined with mixed performance from major electronics names including TSMC, capped further gains. Investors also remained cautious, watching for any signs of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing. 2025-10-30 17:19:50

Korean tech giants vie to win attention with latest innovations at APEC GYEONGJU, October 30 (AJP) - A trifold handset stole the limelight as South Korean tech heavyweights vied to impress global visitors with next-generation technologies showcased across the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit venue in Gyeongju. All the familiar Korean corporate names — Samsung Group, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group and LG Electronics — mounted large-scale exhibitions at the Expo Park on Thursday, effectively offering a preview of what they may unveil at next year’s CES. Samsung Electronics drew the biggest crowds. Visitors passing through the company’s hypnotic digital columns were led into a hall of new foldables — the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 — and teased with a prototype "Tri-fold Phone." Resembling the latest Fold7 when shut, the unnamed model measures roughly 1.2 to 1.5 centimeters in thickness and expands to around 10 inches when fully unfolded. A company official said the device was "fully operational and market-ready," but declined to specify its launch schedule or price. Samsung's "Art Cube" installation also showcased curated works displayed on premium micro-LED panels, created in collaboration with artists Lee Kun-yong, Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic, Saya Woolfalk, and Marc Dennis, delivering a fully immersive digital experience. SK Group emphasized the hardware backbone of the AI era. Its pavilion featured next-generation liquid cooling systems for energy storage, capable of partial cooldown, alongside glass substrates for advanced chip packaging expected to boost data-processing speeds by up to 40 percent. Although drained of fluid for safety, drawer-like casings demonstrated how batteries and data servers would be submerged in non-conductive coolants beneath tempered glass layers. A magnified digital model of SK's HBM4 series stood beside the fingernail-sized actual chips. SK Telecom manager Kim Dong-young explained how 12 vertically stacked layers enable the chipset’s exceptional AI performance. Robotics dominated Hyundai Motor Group's exhibition. Compact robotic platforms for logistics and parking-assistance robots capable of maneuvering vehicles in tight spaces showed the group’s expanded ambitions beyond automobiles. An official said a nano-mobility device resembling a wheelchair had already been deployed this year to support patients with physical disabilities or in hospital settings. Hyundai also demonstrated through scaled models how magnetic couplings could enable modular rear units for its purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). Owners could switch between a passenger cabin, pickup-style cargo box or mobile workstation by attaching magnetized modules. The group further laid out its hydrogen roadmap — from production and distribution to mobility solutions spanning land, air and maritime applications. In a nearby pavilion, Hyundai displayed the latest Nexo hydrogen SUV, rolled out in June. LG Electronics constructed a towering chandelier made from 28 transparent "Signature OLED T" units. Arranged in a circular formation, the wireless OLED screens allowed 360-degree viewing. Periodically, panels unfolded to reveal the razor-thin displays, highlighting how high-resolution TVs can now be built into near-invisible structures. Global tech giant Meta also joined the Korean-led showcase, presenting its second-generation AI glasses developed with Ray-Ban. Slightly bulkier than standard eyewear, the frames supported full voice-controlled AI assistance. Commands beginning with "Hey Meta" — such as "Turn on Taylor Swift's Red" — triggered responses through open-ear speakers embedded in both temples. A high-resolution front-facing camera was positioned on the right side, paired with a light-emitting privacy indicator on the left to signal recording. Korean-language support, however, was still under development, a Meta staffer said, noting the need for updates such as Celsius-based temperature readings and integration with apps like KakaoTalk before domestic release. One section of the venue, the K-Business Square, displayed a compressed timeline of South Korea's industrial ascent — from war-torn recovery to manufacturing powerhouse — ending with today’s advanced automation where robotic arms now replace factory-line labor. Gyeongju-themed digital works dotted the venue. A tapering three-tier media pillar paid homage to Seokgatap, the city's iconic Buddhist pagoda, while a hexagonal kaleidoscope tunnel projected shifting Silla-era motifs, including the kingdom's signature smiling roof tiles. Tech startups also added their flair. One popular booth featured an AI sketching robot capable of holding a natural conversation while drawing a caricature in real time with its pen-gripping mechanical hand. 2025-10-30 17:05:51

Leverage builds as South Korean investors chase stock gains SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) — South Koreans are taking on more debt to invest in stocks, as a wave of market optimism drives both leveraged trading and record cash holdings at brokerages. Margin loans — money borrowed from securities firms to buy shares — climbed above 25 trillion won ($18.1 billion) for the first time, reaching 25.1 trillion won as of Thursday, according to data from the Korea Financial Investment Association. That represents an 8 percent increase from 23.3 trillion won on Oct. 2, underscoring the growing appetite for risk among retail investors betting on further market gains. Investor deposits, which track the total balance of cash held in brokerage accounts, also hit a record 85.9 trillion won ($62.3 billion), up more than 5 trillion won in just over two weeks. The indicator, often seen as a barometer of investor confidence and buying power, has been climbing steadily this year. The surge in both deposits and margin borrowing comes as South Korea’s KOSPI index has rallied in recent weeks on expectations of interest rate cuts and stronger corporate earnings. Analysts warn, however, that the increased use of leverage could amplify volatility if market sentiment shifts, a lesson the country’s retail-heavy market has learned in past boom-and-bust cycles. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-30 16:55:46

Xi enters as Trump exits the APEC stage SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - What should have been a venue for championing free trade and regional cooperation on shared challenges — from AI governance to climate change — instead turned into a geopolitical showcase between the world's two superpowers. Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital hosting South Korea's first APEC summit in 20 years, became the stage for a U.S.–China hegemony face-off as President Xi Jinping arrived just as U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his appearances. Xi landed in Busan on Thursday for a three-day state visit, his first trip to South Korea in 11 years. Bilateral ties have never fully recovered from the fallout of Seoul's deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile-defense system in 2016. Meanwhile, Pyongyang–Beijing relations are at their strongest in decades — underscored by Xi escorting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin during last month's "Victory Day" celebrations. Rather than heading straight to Gyeongju, Xi first held a closed-door meeting with Trump at a Busan air base amid widening trade friction spanning 100% tariffs, port fees, critical minerals, and soybeans. The 90-minute encounter, one of the most anticipated moments of this year's APEC week, produced little more than cordial optics — handshakes, pleasantries, and a mutual pledge to keep talking. "Zero to ten, with ten being the best — I'd say the meeting was twelve," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One following what was likely his last engagement with Xi during the summit. "A lot of decisions were made... and we've concluded very many important points," he said without elaborating. Neither Washington nor Beijing provided details. With Trump's departure, APEC leaders moved quickly back to their formal agenda. Xi, for his part, is holding separate summits with his new counterparts in East Asia — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. Xi meets Takaichi on Friday in their first summit since she took office earlier this month. Their chemistry remains uncertain, given the new prime minister's staunch nationalistic stance. Xi notably did not send a congratulatory message upon her inauguration, though Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently said Beijing "notes the positive signals" from the new cabinet, hinting at openness to dialogue. Discussions are expected to cover a partial resumption of Japanese seafood imports — suspended after the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant — as well as cooperation on rare earths and semiconductor equipment. Analysts say both sides have an incentive to restore practical ties given their intertwined industrial ecosystems. Xi is also meeting President Lee Jae-myung for the first time since Lee's snap-election victory in June. Lee, from the progressive Democratic Party, is traditionally seen as more open to Beijing. Talks are expected to address lifting China's ban on Korean cultural content, advancing Phase 2 negotiations of the Korea–China Free Trade Agreement, and expanding cooperation in semiconductors, AI, tourism, and service-sector investment. Phase 2 of the FTA would expand the current goods-focused agreement to cover services, digital trade, and high-tech industries. Seoul and Beijing are also likely to discuss extending visa waivers and enhancing joint responses to cybercrime and online fraud. Sensitive security topics — North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, illegal Chinese maritime structures in the West Sea, and tensions in the Taiwan Strait — are expected to be handled cautiously. Beijing may also raise concerns over deepening Seoul–Washington defense cooperation, particularly after Trump approved South Korea's plan to build nuclear-powered submarines. The outcomes of Xi's Gyeongju meetings are expected to help define Northeast Asia's diplomatic tone at a time when Seoul is navigating a delicate balance between Washington's strategic expectations and Beijing's growing regional ambitions. 2025-10-30 16:42:50

Lee stresses China's 'constructive role' for North Korea's denuclearization SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has stressed China's "constructive role" in maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, Beijing's Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday. Lee said South Korea "urgently needs China's constructive role in order to achieve a substantive solution" for nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula, in a written interview with the state-run news agency coinciding with Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to South Korea in about 11 years to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the country's historic city of Gyeongju this week. Lee also said that he "will work with China to strengthen strategic communication based on the consensus that peace and stability are in the common interests of both countries, and achieve denuclearization and peace on the peninsula." "South Korea remains committed to cooperation among APEC member economies and promoting the implementation of various collaborative projects. This aims to achieve shared prosperity and development, transforming APEC into an effective and substantive platform for cooperation," he added. Xi, who wrapped up his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan earlier in the day, during which the two resolved most disputed issues including cutting U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods and lifting restrictions on exports of Chinese rare earths, is scheduled to sit down for talks with Lee on Saturday. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-30 16:32:48