Crowns, beauty, fried chicken: Korean culture meets diplomacy at Apec

US President Donald Trump (left) with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during a ceremony on Oct 29 where he was presented with a replica of the gold crown from the Silla dynasty. -- PHOTO: AFP

GYEONGJU, South Korea (AFP): World leaders and business titans gathered in South Korea this week to hash out issues from tariffs and AI to disputed history and regional security.

But beyond the staid statecraft, the summit and sideline events featured plenty of nods to the host country's vibrant pop culture and history.