Business leaders to gather for dinner with Xi SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping is making his first visit to South Korea in 11 years to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju. According to industry sources, he is scheduled to meet with top business leaders and executives at a dinner to strengthen bilateral economic ties. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, when the multilateral gathering wraps up. Attendees are expected to include leaders from top conglomerates such as October 30, 2025

Lee set for first summit with Japan's newly elected prime minister SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is expected to hold his first summit with Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju. With both sides still coordinating their schedules, the meeting is expected to take place later in the day. Takaichi, known as a staunch right-winger and a self-proclaimed successor to the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, will also h October 30, 2025

Trump gives a go-ahead to Korea's nuclear submarine project GYEONGJU, October 30 (AJP) - After concessions over upfront cash payment in the $350 billion investment package from South Korea, U.S. President Donald Trump gave a go-ahead to Korean production of nuclear-powered submarine in a show of "stronger-than-ever" bilateral relations, indicating upgrade in military ties to the highest level, given Washington's protectiveness of nuclear submarine technology. "I have given them approval to build a nuclear-powered October 30, 2025

Upon "golden" treatment, Trump agrees to a trade deal with South Korea GYEONGJU, October 29 (AJP) -— President Donald Trump on Wednesday agreed to Seoul’s terms on South Korea’s $350 billion investment package after months of wrangling, clearing the way for a sweeping trade deal on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, according to Seoul's presidential office. The agreement—$200 billion in cash and $150 billion in shipbuilding projects led by Korean firms—will cut U.S. tariffs on Korean October 29, 2025

South Korea expands visa programs to lure foreign talent SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Amid a global race to attract top talent, South Korea is opening its doors to international professionals through a series of new policies, especially those from Asian countries where South Korean companies already have production networks and academic partnerships. Internship program for foreign talent Earlier this week, the Ministry of Justice introduced the so-called "K-Trainee" program, which is designed to help South Korean com October 29, 2025

Lee rolls out red carpet for Trump as bilateral trade talks get underway SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Gyeongju on Wednesday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and began the final leg of his Asia trip that included stops in Malaysia and Japan. Upon arrival, he headed to the CEO Summit as part of the APEC gathering and delivered a keynote speech, in which he said a trade deal with South Korea will be finalized "very soon," raising expectations for a possible breakthrough in stalled tariff-r October 29, 2025

Global leaders gather for APEC CEO Summit SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Global business moguls and other leaders gathered for talks at the CEO Summit as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, which kicked off on Wednesday. The multilateral business roundtable, hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), is the largest ever, featuring more sessions, speakers, and high-level attendees. President Lee Jae Myung, along with leaders from major businesses October 29, 2025

Lee set to hold talks with Trump in Gyeongju SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday is set to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in South Korea's historic city of Gyeongju on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Their meeting, scheduled for later in the day, comes about two months after they first met in Washington, D.C. in August, marking the shortest interval between reciprocal visits by the two leaders. Lee arrived in Gyeongju the previous October 29, 2025

Newly elected Japanese PM to meet Lee for first time at APEC summit SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaich will travel to South Korea later this week to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Japanese media reported on Tuesday. In a press briefing later in the day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Takaichi, who took office as the island country's first female prime minister last week, will visit South Korea for three days from Thursday, just a day before the summit begins i October 28, 2025

Global searches surge for APEC as world leaders arrive at Gyeongju SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - South Korea and its ancient city Gyeongju have grabbed global attention as they ready to receive government and corporate leaders across Asia-Pacific region and host the two superpowers locked in high-stake trade confrontation, while speculation swirl about an uninvited featuring by the North Korean leader. This year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit has dominated news cycles, pulling headlines ranging from Japan's new Prime Minister October 28, 2025