As U.S. President Donald Trump entered the country on the 29th to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, rallies for and against him took place across Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang.
Around Gyeongju National Museum, where President Lee Jae-myung welcomed President Trump, anti-Trump protesters broke through police lines and approached the venue. On Hwangridan-gil in Gyeongju, demonstrators marched to welcome Trump's visit to Korea.
◇ Progressive groups say "APEC is an event that cements a Trump-centered global hegemony"
Air Force One carrying President Trump arrived at Busan's Gimhae International Airport at 11:33 a.m. He then took the Marine One helicopter to Gyeongju and delivered a special address at the CEO Summit held at the Hwarang Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. He then moved to Gyeongju National Museum and held a summit with President Lee at the Cheonnyeonmisogwan.
According to police, 28 rallies were reported in Gyeongju alone to coincide with Trump's visit. At 10:30 a.m., the 2025 APEC Opposition International People's Action Organizing Committee held a press conference near Guhwanggyo in Dongcheon-dong. They said, "News of President Trump's commemorative visit to Korea for APEC is not welcome at all," adding, "APEC cannot resolve the Trump-centered global hegemonic economic structure and is instead an event that further entrenches it."
Thirty-five groups, including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Justice Party, and the Labor Party, are participating in the organization. Justice Party leader Kwon Young-guk said at the press conference, "Holding up a red card to Trump during the presidential debate was a legitimate expression of protest against an imperialist plunderer who sees the world's countries and citizens beneath his feet."
Protesters also tried to break through police lines and enter the vicinity of the venue. About 70 protesters holding an anti-Trump rally at Donggung Palace and Wolji, about 500 meters from Gyeongju National Museum, broke through police containment and approached as close as 100 meters from the venue. After multiple warnings failed to defuse the standoff, police began a forced dispersal and separated about 50 participants to a point roughly 70 meters toward Donggung Palace and Wolji.
◇ Protesters welcoming Trump's visit with the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes
Around 1 p.m., a National Rally Welcoming Trump's Visit to Korea was held in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju. Members of conservative groups who attended waved the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes to welcome President Trump. They also chanted slogans supporting former President Yoon Suk-yeol and condemning President Lee.
From 5 p.m., a conservative-leaning group, Jayu University, held busking and a march in the Hwangridan-gil area to welcome President Trump's visit to Korea. Jayu University is a group that leads anti-China protests in places such as Myeong-dong in Seoul. However, it said this rally focused not on anti-China messages but on strengthening the South Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance and criticizing the visa-free policy for Chinese nationals.
Police issued the highest alert level at the North Gyeongsang and Busan Metropolitan Police Agencies and are maintaining the highest level of security. When the highest alert level is declared, police leave is suspended and all personnel can be mobilized. During APEC, police plan to deploy up to about 18,000 officers per day across Gyeongju to manage rallies.