By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

"I sincerely hope that the 2025 APEC Summit will be held in Gyeongju, a city that represents the history and culture of the Republic of Korea, and that the President of Peru will visit Gyeongju," said Peruvian Ambassador to South Korea Paulo Duclos on Jan. 24.

When Ambassador Paulo Duclos met with Gyeongju City Mayor Joo Nak-young at the Gyeongju City Hall in Gyeongbuk Province on Jan. 24, he expressed his hope for Gyeongju to host the 2025 APEC Summit.

Peru, which is celebrating 61 years of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea, is hosting this year's APEC Summit. "As one of the host cities of the 31st APEC this year, Arequipa has strong ties to Gyeongju, including the signing of a Friendship City Agreement with Gyeongju in 2015," said Ambassador Paul Duclos. "We will share our hosting experience and know-how with Gyeongju," he said.

Peru joined APEC in 1998 and hosted the APEC Leaders' Meeting in 2008-2016, and will host its third APEC Leaders' Meeting this year. In November this year, the APEC Summit will be held in five Peruvian cities (Trujillo, Arequipa, Urubamba, Pucallpa, and Lima) with meetings and various events. The summit will be held in the capital city of Lima. 

"We are grateful for the hospitality shown by the most Korean-style city, Gyeongju," said Ambassador Paul Duclos, "and we hope that today's meeting will help us in our journey towards Gyeongju's bid for the 2025 APEC Leaders' Meeting."

"There is no doubt that Gyeongju is the best place to host the APEC Leaders' Meeting in 2025, as it best showcases Korea's traditional culture," said Mayor Joo. "I ask for your support in ensuring that the APEC Leaders' Meeting is held in Gyeongju, Korea's representative historical and cultural tourism city, where future industries such as nuclear power and automobiles coexist."