Korea ramps up security ahead of high-stakes APEC summit next week

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — South Korea is stepping up its security measures in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, which hosts the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit of 21 member economies next week, with large-scale field exercises held and higher terrorism-alert levels imposed. Up to 18,500 police officers, SWAT teams and coast guard staff as well as anti-drone jammers, armoured vehicles and helicopters will be mobilised as international leaders gather in Gyeongju, a quiet city known for its heritage tourism. The stakes are extra high at this year's summit, scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to use it to hold his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping since returning to the White House and instigating a trade war between the world's two biggest economies. From Oct. 28 to Oct. 31 around 1,700 global industry leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, will also visit the city for the APEC CEO Summit. Various security exercises took place on Monday in preparation for the meetings, with the coast guard condWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times