[Gyeongju APEC] Foreign Minister Cho Hyun: "APEC 'Gyeongju Declaration' Very Close to Adoption"

On October 30, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun stated that the adoption of the so-called "Gyeongju Declaration," the final outcome document of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, is "very close."

Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is answering questions from the press at the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting (AMM) press conference held at the Gyeongju International Media Center on October 30, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Minister Cho made these remarks in response to related questions during a press conference on the results of the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on Foreign Affairs and Trade, held that afternoon at the Gyeongju International Media Center (IMC). However, he added, "Since many APEC members are still engaged in last-minute negotiations, it is difficult to make any premature predictions."

The Gyeongju Declaration is expected to be announced following final agreement at the conclusion of the APEC Summit on November 1. Separately, the AMM Joint Statement is produced through ministerial-level consultations. Although the AMM concluded on this day, last-minute negotiations are still underway due to remaining issues concerning the wording on "free trade." Regarding this, Minister Cho said, "Negotiations on the wording of the AMM Joint Statement are still ongoing," and added, "While it was not adopted today, I am hopeful that it will be adopted by tomorrow." He further explained, "The AMM Joint Statement and the summit outcome document are complementary, and there have often been cases in the past where both were finalized simultaneously."

Minister Cho also stated, "The AMM Joint Statement consists of about 40 articles in total," and added, "It includes the outcomes of discussions from sectoral ministerial meetings, the core achievements of APEC projects and the summit, as well as matters related to the operation of the Secretariat."