[APEC2025] Trump Touches Down in Gyeongju…City on Lockdown for High-Security Visit

Trump was scheduled to land at Gimhae International Airport at approximately 10:30 a.m. KST on Wednesday, October 29. Yonhap.

The city of Gyeongju in Kyongsangbuk-do entered a heightened state of alert early Wednesday morning (Korea Standard Time), as former U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea for a visit to the historic city. Local police and security agencies tightened control across the area, with late-night drills and helicopter landing simulations continuing until the eve of his arrival.

Trump was scheduled to land at Gimhae International Airport at approximately 10:30 a.m. KST on Wednesday, October 29, before boarding Marine One—the U.S. presidential helicopter—for transit to Gyeongju. Security has been heavily reinforced at a designated helipad within the city, which is now under full lockdown.

The helipad is located near the Hilton Hotel Gyeongju, where Trump is expected to stay. It has been identified as an optimal site for both security and logistics. However, no official travel route has been disclosed due to security concerns.

After disembarking from Marine One, Trump is expected to travel by his armored presidential limousine, known as "The Beast." The vehicle, often described as a "moving fortress," is equipped with state-of-the-art security and communication systems.

Preparations began days earlier. On October 26, two U.S. military Chinook helicopters and a smaller escort chopper conducted multiple landing drills at the site. Local residents reported that the scene resembled a military film, with aircraft performing repeated touch-and-go exercises.

Two Marine One helicopters were also spotted near Pohang Gyeongju Airport earlier in the week, reportedly conducting advance route checks and emergency landing drills as part of the U.S. security team's preparations.

Security operations extend well beyond the helipad. On Tuesday afternoon (October 28), more than 30 police officers were seen combing through an open area near the landing site, scanning for potential threats. Police patrol cars, fire engines, and ambulances were also deployed as part of a full-scale emergency readiness drill.

Trump's arrival coincides with the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which opened on Monday, October 27, at the Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) in Gyeongju. The event has drawn high-level figures from around the world, turning the city's Bomun Tourist Complex into a high-security zone.

Since the summit began, city-wide traffic controls and identity checks have been stepped up, causing temporary inconvenience for local residents. Police have asked for public cooperation, noting that major roads may be closed without prior notice depending on the movement of foreign dignitaries.

Political demonstrations have also been announced. The Korean Metal Workers' Union and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' Kyongsangbuk-do chapter are planning anti-American and anti-Japanese rallies. In response, the conservative group "Freedom University" is organizing counter-protests, raising the risk of clashes in central Gyeongju.

To manage the situation, riot police and special security units have been deployed around key venues. Authorities are implementing multi-level emergency response protocols, including rolling checkpoints and dynamic traffic controls throughout the day.

Kyongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo welcomed the visit, saying, "Former President Donald Trump's visit to Gyeongju is a meaningful opportunity to enhance Kyongsangbuk-do's international profile. With the eyes of the world on us, we hope to showcase our rich history, cultural heritage, and the potential of our high-tech industries."

He added, "I hope this visit will become a special moment that contributes to the advancement of global peace."