As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is set to be held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, a one-person protest criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump took place in front of the summit venue.
According to police, Lee Je-seok, head of the Lee Je-seok Advertising Lab, staged a surprise one-person protest at the intersection in front of the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO) in the Bomun complex, the APEC summit venue in Gyeongju, on the morning of the 28th, unfurling a banner bearing phrases criticizing the Trump administration's trade policy and an image of President Trump.
Police deployed at the scene for protection and security asked Lee to remove the banner, saying, "You cannot hold an assembly in a security zone." When Lee complied, the one-person protest ended in five minutes.
Before the one-person protest, Lee said, "The Trump administration is undermining the global trade order," and noted, "I will continue surprise protests during the Gyeongju APEC period."
The 2025 Gyeongju APEC has already begun. The final senior officials' meeting is being held the day before and on the day, and the foreign and trade joint ministerial meeting will be held on the 29th and 30th. The CEO summit is scheduled from the 29th to the 31st, and the APEC summit will be held on the 31st and on the 1st of next month.
President Trump will arrive at Busan Gimhae International Airport on the morning of the 29th and depart on the 30th. Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Korea on the 30th and stay in Korea for two nights and three days. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit Korea on the 30th for 2 Days & 1 Night.
According to police, as of 2 p.m. on the previous day, 17 APEC-related assemblies had been reported in Gyeongju. On the 29th, the Organizing Committee for the International People's Action Against APEC 2025 (International People's Action) will hold a "Tariff bomb, economic exploitation, opposition to APEC, condemnation of Trump's visit to Korea press conference" at the entrance to the Bomun complex, followed by a march through the downtown area.
A conservative-leaning group, Jayu University, will hold a street march the same day under the slogan "Do you know Gyeongju." Jayu University said it would be a counter-rally to the anti-U.S. assembly.
Starting that day, police issued the highest alert level at the North Gyeongsang and Busan police agencies and began the highest level of security. When the highest alert level is issued, police officers' annual leave is suspended, allowing 100% mobilization of available police forces. During APEC, police will deploy up to about 18,000 personnel per day for crowd control and other duties.