Скачать или смотреть Analyst explains issues likely to top discussions at APEC in South Korea

(29 Oct 2025)
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Seoul, South Korea - 24 October 2025
1. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Min Jeonghun, professor at Korea National Diplomatic Academy: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOTS 2 TO 10++
"As the second Trump administration aggressively pursues U.S. interests in the international arena through its 'America First' trade policy, it is expected to advocate protectionist measures under the banner of so-called 'fair trade' rather than maintaining a free trade stance. Therefore, some conflicts of opinion among member countries are expected at this APEC Summit. In this respect, South Korea, as the chairing nation, faces the challenge of mediating these differences effectively and steering discussions toward a joint statement that aligns with APEC’s original goals and principles. Given the deepening U.S.–China rivalry, Beijing sees strengthening cooperation and improving ties with South Korea and Japan as essential to advancing its diplomatic interests. So at this APEC summit, alongside the U.S.–China leaders’ meeting, China is likely to focus on managing its relations with both Seoul and Tokyo. If South Korea, as the chairing nation, can effectively navigate and balance its relations with the United States, Japan, and China, it may play a key role in preventing the further polarization of regional blocs around the Korean Peninsula."
2. Wide of South Korean Foreign Ministry building (left) and Government Complex building (right)
3. Banner hung over exterior of government complex building reading (Korean): "2025 APEC Summit"

ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Seoul, South Korea - 9 September 2025
4. Various of protesters staging rally against U.S. and President Donald Trump outside U.S. embassy

ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Pyeongtaek, South Korea - 15 April 2025
++MUTE++
5. Cargo containers at port

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gyeongju, South Korea - 28 October 2025
6. Close of banner

AGENCY POOL
ARCHIVE: Beijing, China - 2 September 2025
7. Wide of China-Russia bilateral meeting
8. Wide of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese senior officials

ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 26 August 2025
9. Wide of South Korean presidential plane taxiing
10. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung walking down steps of plane
STORYLINE:
South Korea faces its long-awaited diplomatic event this week as it hosts the annual gathering of leaders from Asia-Pacific economies in a historic southern city.

Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will hold a two-day meeting in Gyeongju with trade and foreign ministers’ meetings, as well as high-stakes sideline talks — including a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This regional event is happening at a critical moment, as trade negotiations between the United States and several countries including China and South Korea reach a turning point, while geopolitical tensions in Northeast Asia and surrounding the Korean Peninsula are escalating and U.S.–China rivalry intensifies.

Min Jeonghun, a foreign affairs expert based in Seoul, believes that some conflicts of opinion among APEC member countries are expected in the summit, with the Trump administration's aggressive pursuit of U.S.-centric policy and protectionist measures that go against free trade.


For Seoul, the APEC gathering also serves as an opportunity to advance its stalled trade negotiations with Washington.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will hold talks with Trump.







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