High-Stakes Diplomacy: South Korea Hosts APEC Summit Amid Global Tensions

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung is gearing up to host leaders from 20 countries for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The event, held in Gyeongju, will feature a pivotal meeting between American President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping, highlighting the high-stakes nature of the summit.

As Lee navigates complex international relations, he aims to promote regional cooperation despite ongoing tensions. Uncertainty looms over prospects for better relations with Washington and Tokyo, in light of Trump's tariffs and Japan's new ultraconservative leadership, while North Korea continues to bolster ties with Russia and China.

With major leaders in attendance, including Trump's possible absence from APEC's main conference, South Korea hopes the summit concludes with a joint declaration, avoiding the discord seen in Papua New Guinea in 2018. The summit's success could potentially aid Lee's pragmatic diplomacy, bolstering relations with key players in the global arena.