By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

The Preparatory Office for APEC 2025 held the First Advance Visit for 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting for delegates from 20 APEC member economies from July 9 to July 10, 2025.

The First Advance Visit was chaired by Senior Managing Director Kim Ji-Joon and attended by over 120 participants, including delegations from APEC member economies and officials from relevant authorities.

Korea will host the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju in the second half of 2025, marking 20 years since its last hosting of the event in Busan in 2005.

On the first day, the Preparatory Office hosted a briefing session to present the schedule of Leaders’ Meeting and major protocol arrangements, followed by a Q&A session. Participants appreciated the Korean government’s thorough and well-organized preparations for the Leaders’ Meeting.

In particular, H.E. Paul Fernando Duclos Parodi, the Peruvian Ambassador to Korea, commended Korea’s efforts and expressed hope for a successful Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, following Peru’s hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

On the second day, the Preparatory Office conducted an on-site tour of Gimhae International Airport, the main venue of the Leaders’ Meeting (Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center) and the venue of the gala dinner (Gyeongju National Museum).

The participants received detailed briefings from the Preparatory Office and had the opportunity to tour the event hall and construction site firsthand.

The Preparatory Office plans to hold the Second Advance Visit for APEC member economies prior to the Leaders’ Meeting to conduct a final check of preparations.