UPDATE - China's Xi, other leaders arrive in South Korea for APEC summit

UPDATES WITH MORE INFORMATION; EDITS THROUGH

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and other leaders arrived on Thursday in South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

The 32nd APEC summit will kick off in the South Korean coastal city of Gyeongju from Friday.

President Xi landed in Busan on Thursday morning, while Takaichi also arrived on her first visit to South Korea this afternoon after taking office this month.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had already arrived in the city to welcome the leaders from APEC member economies.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New Zealand's Premier Christopher Luxon, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also arrived in Gyeongju.

Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Chile’s President Gabriel Boric Font, and other leaders are also expected to arrive in Gyeongju for the summit.

The high-profile gathering, which brings together heads of state and government from 21 member economies, aims to discuss regional economic integration, trade cooperation, and sustainable growth across the Asia-Pacific region.

The South Korean government has taken extensive security measures, deploying thousands of police personnel, including 3,900 troops, to ensure the security of the summit.

- Lee says willing to work with China

South Korean President Lee said that he is willing to work with Chinese President Xi to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and sought Beijing's role for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, according to Xinhua News.

Lee added that Seoul urgently needs China's constructive role to achieve a substantive solution to the nuclear issue and build peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"South Korea and China are partners in promoting regional development and prosperity. At present, China remains South Korea's largest trading partner and a core partner for ensuring the stability of the supply chain," Lee said.

Lee will meet with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since he took office in June this year.

* Islamuddin Sajid contributed to this story.