APEC Summit Opens... President Lee: "Only Cooperation and Solidarity Are the Answer"

President Lee Jae-myung is presiding over the first session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held at Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO) on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News

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President Lee Jae-myung, in his opening address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on the 31st, referred to the rapidly changing international order and stated, "Cooperation and solidarity are the only answers."

President Lee made these remarks during the opening address of the first session of the APEC Summit on the 31st. The session was held under the theme "Towards a More Connected and Resilient World," and President Lee attended as the chair.

President Lee said, "We are all standing at a critical turning point as the international order undergoes dramatic changes. The order of free trade is facing intense transformation, the uncertainty of the global economy is deepening, and the momentum for trade and investment activation is diminishing." He added, "The technological revolution, represented by artificial intelligence, presents us with an unprecedented crisis, but at the same time, it offers us unprecedented possibilities."

He continued, "Although this is not an easy challenge, the journey APEC has taken holds the answer to overcoming the current crisis. Only cooperation and solidarity can lead us to a better future." He further emphasized, "It is clear that we cannot always take the same stance, as each country’s national interests are at stake. However, in pursuit of the ultimate goal of achieving shared prosperity through unity, we can work together."

President Lee also mentioned the 2005 APEC Summit held in Busan, saying, "At the 2005 Busan meeting, a concrete implementation plan for trade liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region, namely the 'Busan Roadmap,' was adopted. The more we became connected and the more we opened up to each other, the more APEC members were able to move step by step toward the path of prosperity."

Meanwhile, in his opening address, President Lee explained the origin of the name of the 'Hwabaek Convention Center,' where the plenary session was held. He said, "In the ancient Silla Kingdom, whenever there was an important matter for the country, many people would gather and coordinate their opinions at the Hwabaek Council. The spirit of Hwabaek is to seek harmony and coexistence, pursuing a symphony of harmony created by blending different voices."

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