As Air Force One Door Opens, Trump Raises Fist and Says "Thank You"... Gyeongju Enters 'Vacuum State' High-Security Mode [Gyeongju APEC]

First State Visit to Korea in Eight Years
President Trump Begins Two-Day Schedule

On October 29, as President Donald Trump of the United States made his first state visit to Korea in eight years, the area around the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju entered a heightened state of security, with roads completely cleared, creating a "vacuum" for maximum protection.

President Trump arrived at the Air Force base at Busan Gimhae International Airport at approximately 11:32 a.m. aboard Air Force One from Tokyo, Japan. In accordance with state protocol, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun and Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyungwha personally greeted President Trump at the airport. On the U.S. side, recently appointed Kevin Kim, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Korea, Monica Crowley, Chief of Protocol at the U.S. State Department, and Xavier Brunson, Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, were present.

Yonhap News Agency

As the door of Air Force One opened, President Trump, wearing a blue tie, raised his right fist and said, "Thank you." He was then guided by Chief of Protocol Kim Taejin and exchanged greetings with Minister Cho. Walking together down the red carpet, he also shook hands with Ambassador Kang, who was wearing a red two-piece suit.

Donald Trump, President of the United States, arriving at Busan Gimhae International Airport on the 29th for a state visit to Korea coinciding with the Gyeongju APEC summit, greets from his private plane Air Force One. 2025.10.29 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

An honor guard was lined up, and a 21-gun salute-the highest honor for a head of state-was fired. The military band played "YMCA," a song familiar to many Koreans. After observing the airport welcome ceremony for about five minutes, President Trump immediately boarded the Marine One helicopter at around 11:54 a.m. and headed to a helipad near the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju. From the helipad to the APEC venue, he is scheduled to travel under escort in a motorcade. This measure appears to be aimed at avoiding unexpected incidents, given that there are many two-lane roads in Gyeongju and anti-American protests have been announced in several locations.

After his arrival, President Trump is scheduled to have lunch and then attend the CEO Summit, where global business leaders have gathered, to deliver a keynote speech as his first official event. He will then proceed directly to the Korea-U.S. summit meeting.

After completing his official schedule for the day, President Trump is expected to spend the night at the Hilton Hotel, which is just a one- to two-minute walk from the summit venue. Not only President Trump but also the U.S. delegation will be staying at the Hilton Hotel, and the surrounding area has been completely cordoned off since the morning.

President Donald Trump of the United States, visiting Korea as a state guest for the Gyeongju APEC, is arriving at Busan Gimhae International Airport aboard Air Force One on October 29, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive at Gimhae Airport on the 30th, one day later, to participate in the APEC events. He is expected to hold a summit meeting with President Trump at the Naraemaru protocol lounge within the Air Force base, just as Trump departs Gyeongju on the same day. As this marks the first time in history that the leaders of the United States and China are visiting Korea simultaneously, the highest level of security is anticipated.