President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea will take the lead in promoting multilateral cooperation to address global challenges. 

The president made the remarks on Wednesday during a special speech at the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) CEO Summit at the Gyeongju Arts Center.

Lee said that at a time when protectionism and nationalism are on the rise, and immediate survival has become urgent, talk of cooperation, mutual growth, and inclusive development may seem hollow, but that in times of crisis, APEC will shine more brightly as a platform for solidarity.

The president said that, as APEC's chair, South Korea aims to lead the way in confronting crises through multilateral cooperation, highlighting the importance of supply chain cooperation. 

Lee also expressed hope that "AI for all" will become a new normal among APEC members, adding that South Korea plans to propose an AI initiative during the summit.