Heads of state and businesspeople visiting Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and side events are moving in and out of the venues in official protocol vehicles or pre-registered work vehicles. Attendees without work vehicles use shuttle buses running between airports near Gyeongju, their accommodations, and the venues.
Hyundai Motor is supporting the official protocol vehicles used for the APEC summit. The vehicles provided during the event total 192, including 113 Genesis G90s, 74 G80s, three Universe hydrogen-electric buses, and two Universe mobile offices.
Official protocol vehicles are used when heads of state, spouses, and Minister-level officials move in and out of the venues. The G90 is provided to heads of state and spouses, and the G80 to Minister-level officials. The vehicles were delivered to the APEC preparation support team without separate wrapping (covering with stickers, etc.) or structural modifications. Driver hiring and management are handled individually by the support team and each country.
Some use government vehicles and dedicated drivers for security and convenience. U.S. President Donald Trump, after arriving at Gimhae International Airport, flew to Gyeongju aboard the U.S. Marine Corps' dedicated helicopter "Marine One," and moved around near the venue in the dedicated limousine "The Beast."
Businesspeople mainly use work vehicles individually prepared by their companies. Only pre-registered vehicles can enter the venue, so most use dedicated cars issued with badges. Some travel to Gyeongju in the vehicles they usually use, or use separate vehicles arranged locally.
Some imported car makers, dealers, and rental car companies supplied luxury sedans and vans that could be used as protocol cars for corporations or offered short-term rental benefits. HS Hyosung The Class, an official dealer of Mercedes-Benz Korea, supported 30 large Mercedes-Benz sedans, the S-Class and E-Class, for some businesspeople.
Many businesspeople use VIP shuttle buses running between the venues and airports and accommodations near Gyeongju. In addition to Genesis sedans, Hyundai Motor supported five buses, including hydrogen-electric and mobile office models. The 20 hydrogen buses deployed by SK Innovation are also being used as shuttle buses. Staff for guidance and interpretation are stationed inside the buses.
Most dignitaries traveled to the venues via Busan's Gimhae International Airport and Pohang Gyeongju Airport near Gyeongju on chartered or private aircraft. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping entered through Gimhae Airport, and many businesspeople used Pohang Gyeongju Airport. Jensen Huang, chief executive officer (CEO) of Nvidia, entered through Incheon Airport.
The number of people visiting Gyeongju during this APEC period is estimated at about 20,000. At the official side event, "2025 APEC CEO Summit," now in its 33rd year, about 1,700 heads-of-state-level figures from 21 member economies and businesspeople will attend over four days. The numbers of foreign leaders (14), sessions (20), and speakers (about 70) are all the largest ever.