Gyeongju: Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo, currently fulfilling his mandatory military service, will serve as the emcee for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit's welcome dinner this Friday, as announced by the defense ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cha, a member of the K-pop group Astro, was selected to host the event in Gyeongju after the summit preparation committee requested the defense ministry's permission for his participation. Cha, who began his service in July, is assigned to a military band and holds the rank of Army private first class.
The welcome dinner is expected to bring together global leaders and top delegates from the 21 APEC economies. Notable attendees include President Lee Jae Myung, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The event will also feature a performance by K-pop star G-Dragon, who serves as an honorary ambassador for the APEC summit.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to complete at least 18 months of military service, a duty Cha is currently undertaking.