The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders' summit kicked off Friday as world leaders gathered to discuss ways to boost resilience and spur growth amid a rising tide of unilateral trade and other barriers.

The two-day APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting convened on Friday in the historic city of Gyeongju, bringing together leaders of the 21 APEC member economies to tackle trade, supply chains and regional challenges.

Tourists are seen near a publicity board of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 31, 2025. The first session of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting was held in Gyeongju on Friday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

East Asian countries are using a tried-and-true method to woo the U.S. president and secure better trade deals.

The authorities have been scrambling to accommodate this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju, which is known for tombs, temples and pagodas.

GYEONGJU, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Wednesday that it has conducted successful cruise missile tests, the latest display of its growing military capabilities and one that came a day before U.S. President Donald Trump visited South Korea.

The city of Gyeongju has been a backdrop for numerous Korean dramas such as Princess Hours, The Great Queen Seondeok, Mr. Sunshine, and Bon Appetit, Your Majesty.

The United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine.

Nvidia Corp. plans to deploy up to 260,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) in South Korea in partnership with the government and major companies here to build large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) factories in the country,