On the morning of the 30th, the access road to the ‘Kolon Hotel’ in Madong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, was filled with tension under tight security. Police were densely deployed along roads near the hotel, and four layers of checkpoints·searches continued. Starting from the access road about 500 m before the hotel lobby, barricades were set up to completely block public access.

Xi Jinping, President of China, who is visiting South Korea for the first time in 11 years, is scheduled to stay here for one day to attend the Gyeongju APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit.

From a point about 5㎞ away from the hotel access road, officers had already been stationed. Dozens of police cars and fire trucks were on standby in a nearby open lot. Dedicated fences and security vehicles were put in place even along the mountain paths surrounding the hotel, sealing off all external approaches. A large screen was installed at the hotel lobby entrance so the inside could not be seen from outside.

At each checkpoint, police stopped vehicles and checked the purpose of passage and the number of occupants one by one. The only people coming and going on foot were Chinese officials wearing badges around their necks emblazoned with the Chinese flag. They moved busily, going in and out of the hotel as if checking security routes.

As tight security unfolded in a usually quiet neighborhood, residents reacted with curiosity. A local surnamed Kim in his 40s said, “After it became known that Xi Jinping would be staying, police blanketed the entire neighborhood,” while chatting with companions.

Located on the slopes of Tohamsan near Bulguksa, the Kolon Hotel, which opened in 1978, was the first luxury hotel in Gyeongju. It is known for its classic atmosphere, expansive grounds, mountain views, and traditional service, but it is currently a ‘4-star’ hotel. U.S. President Trump has previously used the most expensive ‘5-star’ Hilton hotel in the city as his lodging.

Various analyses are being offered as to why President Xi is staying at a 4-star hotel despite other 5-star options downtown. One view is that China chose this hotel to keep its distance from the Hilton. In fact, the two hotels are about 7.7 km apart, taking more than 10 minutes by car.

The Kolon Hotel is surrounded on all sides by dense mountains. Another analysis is that favorable security conditions, such as blocking external sightlines and access, played a role. Compared to the city center, it is relatively quiet and has beautiful scenery.

An APEC official explained, “In August-September last year, embassies of APEC participating countries personally inspected lodging facilities such as hotels around Gyeongju, and early this year they dispatched their own personnel to conduct detailed checks,” adding that the choice of hotel was entirely up to the participating countries.