By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

Ambassador Wong Kai Jiun of Singapore to Korea visited Gyeongju on August 29 and met with Mayor Ju Nak-young of Gyeongju, and explored future-oriented exchange and cooperation plans between the two countries alongside APEC.

This visit held particular significance as next year marks the ‘50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Korea and Singapore’.

Singapore, a founding member of APEC alongside Korea, hosted the ‘17th APEC Summit’ in 2009. The APEC Secretariat is currently based in Singapore.

Ambassador Wong Kai Jiun, appointed last June as Ambassador to Korea and concurrently to Mongolia, previously served as Minister-Counselor at the Singapore Embassy in Thailand and Director of the Northeast Asia Division at Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Welcoming Ambassador Wong Kai Jiun, Mayor Ju Nak-young of Gyeongju stated, “With just over two months until the opening of the 2025 APEC Summit, Gyeongju City is doing its utmost to ensure a successful event.”

He added, “We hope the experience and expertise Singapore has accumulated as chair of both APEC and ASEAN will greatly assist the Gyeongju APEC Summit,” requesting cooperation.

In response, Ambassador Wong Kai Jiun congratulated Gyeongju, saying, “I congratulate Gyeongju, a city with a long history and culture, on being selected as the host city for the APEC Summit,” and pledged, “We will cooperate closely with Gyeongju.”