Gyeongju APEC Summit: A missed Opportunity to Showcase Korea on the Global Stage
Gyeongju, South Korea - November 1, 2025 – Gyeongju, the historic heart of the Korean peninsula and a city steeped in millennia of cultural heritage, recently played host to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting. While the city underwent a significant change in planning for the summit, the experience for attending journalists revealed a disconnect between ambitious hosting goals and the practical realities of media access, ultimately raising questions about Korea’s presentation on the international stage.
For over a year, Gyeongju meticulously prepared for this high-profile event, anticipating the arrival of world leaders like U.S.President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.The anticipation was palpable upon arrival on October 26th. new infrastructure, freshly paved roads, and renovated hotels signaled a city eager to impress.Though, behind the polished facade, a frustrating experience awaited many of the 3,000+ journalists accredited to cover the summit.
Logistical hurdles and a Press Center Under Pressure
The initial challenge stemmed from accommodation. With hotels near the Bomun Tourist Complex, the designated summit venue, reserved for delegations, journalists were relegated to lodging in Gyeongju city center. This necessitated reliance on shuttle services that were frequently delayed or hampered by heightened security measures – a common, though inconvenient, aspect of covering international summits.
The real difficulties, however, began within the Bomun complex.Access to the Hwabaek International Convention Center, the primary venue for APEC meetings, was entirely restricted for the press. Journalists were confined to the newly constructed International Media Center, a facility ostensibly designed for over 3,000 individuals. The reality was starkly different. Organizers confirmed the capacity, yet the center offered fewer than 500 functional workspaces.
Within days, the press room transformed into a competitive environment.Journalists arrived hours early each morning, vying for limited seating and scarce power outlets. The scene resembled a quiet, yet intense, battle for basic resources. This wasn’t merely an inconvenience; it directly impacted the ability to efficiently report on the unfolding events.
Information Blackout and the Frustration of Limited Access
Beyond the physical constraints, the most significant issue was the lack of substantive information. While closed-door meetings are standard practice for summits like APEC, the absence of clear interaction protocols and limited access to briefings left many reporters feeling adrift.
Korean journalists with established local contacts fared somewhat better, but their foreign counterparts faced a notably challenging situation. Many correspondents, having traveled to Korea specifically to cover the summit, found themselves watching proceedings on large screens – a frustratingly passive experience mirroring that of viewers at home.One foreign reporter candidly expressed feeling “useless,” unable to deliver the insightful reporting their publications expected.
Staff at the media center were diligent and helpful, but lacked the authority or access to provide meaningful updates on the APEC discussions. The result was a reliance on speculation and a dearth of firsthand reporting. The days were ofen filled with little more than lingering over refreshments,including Gyeongju’s renowned hwangnam bread,while waiting for any scrap of information.
A Contrast to Previous Summits and a Question of Confidence
Some attributed the limited access to the inherent security concerns surrounding a global event of this magnitude.Though, a veteran correspondent who also covered the 2023 APEC summit in San Francisco offered a contrasting perspective.”Media access in San francisco was much broader,” she noted, expressing disappointment at the complete lack of interaction with delegations in Gyeongju. “It felt like a purposeful restriction, not simply a necessary security measure.”
Beyond Logistics: The Impact on Korea’s Image
This report isn’t a critique of gyeongju as a host city. Logistical challenges are certain when organizing events of this scale. However, the core issue lies in the perceived overemphasis on control at the expense of clarity. While security is paramount, excessive restrictions can project an image of a host nation lacking confidence in its ability to engage openly with the international press.
Journalists weren’t simply in Gyeongju to experience the city’s cultural attractions and sample its culinary delights. They were there to witness and report on high-stakes diplomacy – the conversations, negotiations, and ultimately, the “Gyeongju declaration” that would define the summit’s outcomes.
The limited access hindered their ability to fulfill that crucial role, potentially diminishing the impact of the summit and raising questions about Korea’s commitment to fostering a truly open and transparent dialog
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