On the 28th, a day before U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Korea, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit will be held, went under a tight security net. Police issued the highest alert level, Gapho emergency, across North Gyeongsang and deployed drone shoot-down equipment and explosive detection dogs.
At midnight, police declared Gapho emergency across all of North Gyeongsang Province. Gapho emergency is the highest level, under which all police officers' leave is suspended and 100% of available personnel can be mobilized. The North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency plans to deploy up to 19,000 officers per day during APEC to control the conference venue, accommodations, and downtown areas around the clock.
At the Gyeongju HICO and around the Bomun Tourist Complex, access blockade lines and security checkpoints were set up. The airspace was designated a no-fly zone, and shoot-down equipment was deployed to counter drone threats. The police SWAT team and explosive detection dogs Tam and Charlie patrolled in and around the venue, conducting searches for explosives and hazardous materials.
Police mobile units, SWAT, helicopters, and even Army armored vehicles have been deployed to surround the perimeter of the venue. Special public-safety enhancement zones were established at major tourist spots and planned protest sites such as Gyeongju Station and Hwangridan-gil, strengthening crime prevention and order maintenance activities. The fire authorities also went on 24-hour emergency duty, simultaneously working to prevent fires and safety accidents.
North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Commissioner Oh Bu-myeong said, "If a terrorist attack or safety accident occurs, all preparations could become meaningless," and noted, "We are responding with the determination not to allow even a single unexpected incident."