32nd Stop:

Gyeongju, South Korea

The 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting was held in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2025. Under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,” the meeting adopted the 2025 APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration.

Gyeongju, in North Gyeongsang province, was the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty for nearly a millennium. The historic city is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, and is often called a “museum without walls.” The royal tombs of Daereungwon, the Cheomseongdae observatory, and Hwangridan-gil together create a distinctive atmosphere where antiquity and modern trends sit side by side.