Gyeongju: Security forces are on heightened alert in the city of Gyeongju, officials said Monday, as world leaders are set to gather for the latest meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a wide range of security systems have already been put in place, including 18,500 police personnel each day at the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, where the APEC summit will be held. The newly built Hwabaek International Convention Center, the main venue for the APEC summit situated inside the Bomun Tourist Complex, is under tight security, with steel fences set up around the area to restrict public access. Police squads were seen patrolling the roads accessible only to APEC officials and other authorized personnel.

Meanwhile, Gyeongju Station was packed with passengers arriving by train ahead of the APEC CEO Summit, slated for Oct. 29-31. APEC staff members holding name boards of the visitors guided them to shuttle buses heading to their respective hotels. At Pohang Gyeongju Airport, where world leaders and senior officials are set to arrive, U.S. military helicopters were spotted, and U.S. personnel were seen moving boxes of supplies from the helicopters.

Journalists from around the world have already gathered at the International Media Center located next to the main summit venue. The facility can accommodate up to 1,000 people at a time and has a maximum capacity of 3,000. The APEC week began with the two-day Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting (CSOM) on Monday, to be followed by the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is set to take place Oct. 31-Nov. 1 under tight security.