President Lee Jae Myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time on Friday, as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) summit kicked off in Gyeongju.

Lee personally welcomed attending leaders to the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center ahead of the first session of the two-day summit, and Xi arrived at around 10 a.m.

The two leaders exchanged greetings, with Lee saying, “Welcome,” and Xi responding, “Hello.” 

They then shook hands, posed for a commemorative photo, and walked into the conference hall together.

Lee and Xi are scheduled to hold their first official summit talks on Saturday.