Cho's country, which is hosting APEC for the first time in two decades, is playing a mediating role to ensure the summit ends with agreement on the Gyeongju Declaration. Analysts say that some disagreements between the U.S. and other member economies over multilateralism in trade are possible.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has said he wants to continue the policy of rapprochement with North Korea despite regular hostility from Pyongyang. "We are taking proactive steps to build trust and make the North feel more secure,

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to make greater efforts to persuade North Korea to return to talks, as the two leaders on Saturday agreed on a set of agreements to expand their economic and other ties.

Lee Jae Myung also calls for joint action among Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members to tackle declining birth rates - Anadolu Ajansı

APEC summit concludes in South Korea, highlighting Trump-Xi trade truce amid rising tensions and challenges in global trade dynamics.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday the Asia-Pacific region was at a critical inflection point with a rapidly changing global economic order, as he chaired a leaders' summit in the city of Gyeongju.

In a statement, the Taiwanese delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea's Gyeongju said Taiwan's top trade negotiator, Jenni Yang, had met with U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer on Thursday.

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.