Connect. Innovate. Prosper.

At 9:00 AM local time on Friday, October 31, the APEC Leaders’ Summit will begin in Gyeongju, South Korea. This is the culmination of nearly a year’s worth of APEC events across the nation that began in early December 2024, so what does it all mean? Let’s look at the history, economics, and astrology of the APEC Leaders’ Summit!

APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Established in 1989, this regional forum focuses on economic concerns, sustainable development, and free trade agreements between the 21 member economies, most of which are in the Pacific Rim region. Their goal is to create partnerships that allow for an easier exchange of goods, services, and people between members, helping to bolster investment and economic growth.

APEC members include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, Viet Nam, and the United States.

Together, these economies account for nearly 50 % of global trade and 40% of the world’s population. They also generate $63 trillion, or 60%, of global gross domestic product. The U.S. is the largest member economy… for now.

Unlike other economic blocs such as the European Union, APEC does not rely on legally binding obligations or treaties, instead focusing their efforts on facilitating dialogue where all members are given equal recognition and consideration. This allows smaller or still developing nations to have as much a say as larger, more economically powerful members.

APEC’s work is driven by the Putrajaya Vision 2040 to achieve “an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and for future generations.” The three economic drivers to achieving this goal are:

• Trade and investment

• Innovation and digitalization

• Strong, balanced, secure, sustainable, and inclusive growth

Every year, APEC hosts a leaders’ summit. Hosting duties rotate among members, and this year’s hosts, South Korea, chose the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper”. The summit’s emblem is inspired by a butterfly and meant to symbolize the connection of member economies, where the “flutter of its wings represents the innovation and transformation that will promote greater prosperity.”

South Korea, or the Republic of Korea (RoK) as it is formally named, is a powerful example of APEC in action. Korea was occupied and colonized by Japan from 1910 to 1945. Eventually, the Allied powers, led primarily by the “Big Four” nations of the United Kingdom, United States, China, and the Soviet Union, successfully helped to liberate the Korean people. The nation reclaimed its independence with the end of WWII. Well… sort of.

Despite the brutality of the Japanese regime, not all Koreans opposed the occupation. Some wanted to join with Japan and move the nation towards industrialization and global trade. Others wanted to retain the tradition and isolation of the former Joseon era. A number of internal disputes between the factions took a violent turn over the next few years.

NOTE: If you are interested in learning more about the resistance and resilience of the Korean people, look up the Jeju Uprising and Yeosu-Suncheon rebellion.

Although Japan, as part of the Axis powers, was defeated, other Allied nations remained in the Korean peninsula after the end of WWII. Between 1945 to 1949, the 38th parallel served as a demarcation line between Soviet occupation to the north, and U.S. occupation to the south. This was supposed to be temporary… allegedly.

It wasn’t. Each side of the parallel formed their own government and declared it to be the true legitimate ruling force of Korea. Kim Il Sung (yes, that Kim family) established Communist rule in Pyongyang to the North, supported by the Soviet Union. Syngman Rhee, backed by the United States, established Seoul as the capital city in the South.

The country quickly entered the Korean War (1950 to 1953) as internal factions fought to determine governance of the country, although it’s important to note the U.S. never officially declared it a war. Instead, President Truman labelled it a “police action” and the U.S. fought as part of the United Nations forces. Keep a watch for that term making a re-appearance from the Oval Office during this regime.

By the time an armistice was declared in 1953, much of the peninsula lay in ruin, having been devastated by bombings and other military destruction. Millions of Koreans were dead, and the nation faced an uphill battle to rebuild from the rubble. Since no peace treaty between the sides had yet been signed, the threat of renewed conflict continued to be a valid concern.

Although the APEC forum is only 36 years old, South Korea has used that time to grow from a country decimated by war, into one of the leading innovators of Artificial Intelligence (AI), manufacturing, and technology:

• Eight of Korea’s top trading partners are also APEC members (U.S., China, Viet Nam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and Singapore)

• 76.3% of RoK’s total exports go to APEC members

• 68.2% of RoK’s total imports come from APEC members

• 63.8% of RoK’s inbound foreign direct investments come from APEC members

• 51.6% of RoK’s outbound foreign direct investments go to APEC members

At least 18 of its private companies are listed on the Fortune 500, and you are likely familiar with several of them: Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and LG Electronics. This is not even taking into account the global infatuation with K-Pop, K-Dramas, and K-Beauty products!

Put it together, and you can see how important APEC is to member economies, especially ones that have experienced war or other political turmoil. That doesn’t necessarily mean that this event will be smooth sailing though. What does the cosmos have to say? Let’s take a look!

First off, this chart has a 4° Sagittarius ASC. Changes are happening fast! Sagittarius is a mutable Fire sign. It is adventurous with a love of travel, truth, and freedom. Never try to rein in a Sagittarius - you WILL meet their fiery side!

It is also the natural ruler of the 9th House, overseeing such matters as publishing, religion, higher education, long distance travel, law, large gatherings, and judicial matters. This makes sense as the leaders are all traveling to South Korea for this event, and their focus is on learning more about how they can work together.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter (24° Cancer), the “Great Benefic”, as it is sometimes called. Jupiter expands all that it touches, both good and bad. Where is our chart ruler camping out? In the 8th House of shared resources! This summit is a focus on how member economies can expand their trade with one another and continue to grow.

Cancer has a lot to say about the home, homeland, and patriotism. It is a fixed Water sign, full of emotions and nurturing, but it can also put the “mother” in “smother” if poorly expressed. Jupiter will station retrograde on November 11, so the relationship to one’s homeland may be revisited during that time.

There are challenging aspects here, though. Jupiter is caught in a T-Square with Venus (21° Libra) in the 11th house of legislative affairs, which is in opposition to Chiron (24° Aries Rx) in the 5th house of recreation and birth rates. Venus rules women, money, diplomacy, art, and peace. Chiron is the unhealed wounds we have yet to face.

Some of these member economies, such as South Korea and Japan, have struggled with low birth rates, meaning their population is shrinking. Others like the U.S. and China are also concerned with dwindling population numbers, too.

However, all four have also pushed back against immigration, and the U.S., South Korea, and Japan are facing significant unrest in their legislative branches. China likely is, too, but it’s difficult to tell what really goes on in the CCP behind the Great Firewall.

In Japan, Sanae Takaichi was just appointed Prime Minister on October 21, 2025, after Shigeru Ishiba resigned. She is the 1st woman to hold this position in Japan’s history, but the 4th Prime Minister the country has had since 2020. Ishiba, her predecessor, only served for 1 year and 21 days.

Despite being a member of the progressively-named Liberal Democratic Party, Takaichi’s appointment signals a move to the right as she is an ultraconservative nationalist. Whether she outlasts Ishiba or pulls a Liz Truss remains to be seen (place your bets, folks!)

In South Korea, President Lee Jae-Myung was elected earlier this year after former president Yoon Suk Yeol, a member of the People Power Party, tried to declare martial law in the middle of the night last December, accusing the opposition Democratic party of “anti-state activities”. To further his coup, Yoon suspended the legislature and freedom of the press, ordering the military to bar access to the National Assembly.

Given the nation’s history with occupation and nascent democracy, the people loudly said, “Fuck that Nazi noise!” Thousands of citizens immediately mobilized, descending on the National Assembly as legislative members rushed to access the building and vote to suspend the martial law decree.

Lee Jae-Myung, who was then serving as a member of the National Assembly, was seen climbing the building’s fence so he could cast his vote. Yes, the now-president scaled a fence in the middle of the night to save democracy! The martial law decree was overturned, and Yoon was impeached, removed from office, and arrested. He is now incarcerated and awaiting trial.

Folks, THIS is how you deal with insurrectionist, seditious, coup-coup bullshit! Koreans do not suffer authoritarian shenanigans. Let’s all learn a lesson or 20 from K-Democracy, please and thank you.

China is a tough nut to crack, but rumors have swirled all year about President Xi Jinping’s possible health problems. There are also rumors of behind-the-scenes power struggles and while Xi currently retains all of his CCP titles, there have been signs that he does not have the same hold on military power.

Nine top generals - all Xi appointees - were recently expelled from the military and the Chinese Community Party for “serious financial crimes”. Their removal occurred just days ahead of the party’s Fourth Plenum, a gathering of all top officials in the Central Committee. He Weidong, the most prominent general removed, was second only to Xi Jinping, suggesting someone(s) is working to undermine Xi’s power.

The U.S... well… we’re a fucking flaming toxic waste dumpster fire right now. It’s a real “Spin the Wheel of Problems” around these parts.

Back to the cosmos, T-Squares are difficult patterns because they combine the tug-of-war of an opposition (180°) with the crashing energy of a square (90°). To navigate this conflict, we look to the “missing leg”, which means Capricorn, the sign of government and structure, in the 2nd house of finances. There are no planets in this sign, but Pluto in Aquarius is in the 2nd house.

Pluto is the little cosmic bowling ball of transformation, knocking down what no longer serves. Aquarius is the sign of the collective, and we are very much being challenged to examine how we show up in community, as well as what it means to be a global citizen. In all 4 of the above cases, citizens are being tasked to decide exactly what sort of country they want to be, and how much of a say they want in their government.

The U.S. and South Korea have been the most visible in the fight for democracy, but there are reports that more and more unrest is bubbling up in China. Their economy has struggled the past few years between the Evergrande Real Estate collapse, and now a potential repeat in their electric vehicle sector as BYD continues to cut prices. Expect to see those uprisings continue and become more visible.

Adding to this friction are a pair of quincunx aspects. A quincunx is a 150° angle that has neither the harmony of a trine (120°), nor the direct pull of an opposition (180°). They are grating and awkward energies.

The first quincunx is between Jupiter in Cancer (8th House) and the Moon (23° Aquarius) in the 3rd house of media, communications, and short-distance travel. The Moon is the luminary of the people, representing the emotions and sentiment of the citizenry. Notice that it is also in Aquarius, the sign of the collective. Too many people are feeling uneasy, especially regarding how the government spends their tax dollars.

The second quincunx is between Chiron in Aries (5th house) and Mars (26° Scorpio) in the 12th house of imprisonment, hidden enemies, self-undoing, and endings. YEESH! This does not feel good. Mars is how we take action, but it is often aligned with police, military, war, or opposing parties.

Mars is a co-ruler of Scorpio along with Pluto, so it feels very at home here. Mars also rules Aries, but expresses itself differently in each sign. If Mars in Aries is the bold warrior, Mars in Scorpio is the stealthy spy, sneaking in to sabotage plans and escape before you know what happened. When you add that energy to a meeting of global leaders, some shady shit is going down.

Notice that Mars is making a loose conjunction to Mercury (1° Sagittarius), the planet of communication, which is currently in its pre-retrograde shadow. That means Mercury will pass back over this same territory once it stations retrograde on November 9, and again after it stations direct on November 29.

During a retrograde, the same area gets reviewed, revised, and possibly reversed, so discussions had and deals made may not actually be set in stone. Our very own Orange Embarrassment, who is currently at APEC (keep him, plz?) just announced new trade deals with China and South Korea. However, we know his word is as reliable as bus station toilet paper. We could very well see another tariff temper tantrum as Mercury does the cha-cha slide.

Getting back to the 12th house, both Mercury and Mars are sitting very close to the ASC. When a planet transits this house, something is about to be revealed. With Mars in Scorpio and Mercury in Sagittarius, there could be bold, but secretive discussions, especially about the use of force.

China has been just itching to invade Taiwan, Russia is never up to any good, and the U.S., well… we used to get along with other nations, but now our Tweeter-in-Chief wants to collect countries like they are gaudy gold bobbles for his desk. I fucking hate it here… Whatever shenanigans are being planned, there’s a good chance they could backfire.

There are some very harmonious aspects here, too. Jupiter in Cancer and Mars in Scorpio are creating a Grand Water Trine with Saturn Rx (25°) conjunct Neptune Rx (29°) in Pisces. Trines are all about ease and flow, and grand trines keep that energy circulating in harmony.

Some of those discussions on the down-low could be about unspoken alliances of mutual defense. There could also be previous boundaries to partnership that are now being dissolved in light of changing world events.

For example, tensions have remained between South Korea and Japan for the past 80 years. FOR REASONS. However, with North Korea pursuing nuclearization and militarily aligned with Russia, both Seoul and Japan have to be getting worried. Nearby Taiwan also sees tensions rising in the region. As the U.S. has shown itself to no longer be a reliable protector, the leaders of these nations must begin to look elsewhere for defense.

Former enemies may become friends, and former allies may become open enemies. This is supported by Uranus Rx (00° Gemini) sitting on the 7th house cusp. There may be a sudden switcheroo as leaders re-evaluate their choice of partners.

Uranus Rx is also part of a Mini Grand Trine that includes Pluto in Aquarius and our Saturn-Neptune in Pisces duo. All 4 are slow-moving outer planets, so they have been hanging out in this formation for a while. Pluto stationed direct on October 13, and the other 3 will station direct over the next few months.

Uranus also rules electronics, and in many of our charts, it has represented AI and the technocratic broligarchs. When in combination with Pluto, Saturn, and Neptune, this can lend itself to surveillance culture, hacking, or technological disruptions. We just saw half of the Internet take a nosedive when AWS went AWOL, harkening back to last year’s CrowdStrike outage.

While we as individuals may do our best to diversify programs and platforms, it’s of no use if all of those companies rely on one or two providers. It has become abundantly clear that too much power, especially around technology, is in the greedy hands of far too few. We are going to have to tackle that monopoly and reclaim power for the people.

There is one funny, albeit not so obvious, anecdote we will close out with, so to those of you still reading, I hope you find this worth the wait!

As mentioned, our Tangerine Disaster is overseas for APEC, creating more international cringe footage that will be replayed on the nightly news. You may have seen him wandering about as Prime Minister Takaichi tried her best to give him a simple tour. It went about as well as a toddler folding laundry.

Once in South Korea, Mango Menace was treated to a welcome fit for a king. Well… maybe a Burger King. As Air Force One landed, the Korean military band greeted their guest with a rendition of “YMCA”. So dignified.

President Lee Jae-Myung then presented Genghis Bronze with the nation’s highest award, the “Grand Order of Mugunghwa”. It’s a very large gold replica of the Cheonmachong crown and necklace that absolutely thrilled the overgrown manchild.

At a luncheon that followed, the menu included a “Korean Platter of Sincerity” that featured “mini beef patties with ketchup”. They served him a freaking kid’s meal.

What’s more, beef has been a major point of contention between the U.S. and Korea, as the latter severely limits its beef imports from the former. This “Platter of Sincerity” seems rather insincere.

Finally, to finish the meal, Korea served up the “Peacemaker’s Dessert” - gold-decorated brownies with a tangerine-shaped citrus dessert and the word “PEACE!” written on the plate. The meal was served with wines from Trump Winery.

Now, on the surface, it seems like South Korea went above and beyond to celebrate this visit, and that is exactly how they wanted it to appear. However, just a few months ago, the 2 nations were at odds after ICE raided a Hyundai plant being built in Georgia and arrested hundreds of South Korean engineers who were there to train workers. The employees were in the U.S. on valid work visas, but were still held in deplorable conditions and temporarily denied access to diplomatic representation.

The U.S. made matters worse by refusing to release these detainees into South Korean custody, instead trying to negotiate assurances that the Hyundai plant would still move forward. That… didn’t go well. Koreans were furious, especially as workers returned home and shared the horrifying and humiliating details of their detainment.

This put President Lee in a tough spot. He needed to defend his nation’s honor and appease the anger of the Korean people. However, Lee also cannot risk the U.S. removing the 28,000 troops it has stationed in South Korea, nor can he risk another tariff tantrum being imposed. What is he to do?

Well, in mundane astrology, the Sun represents the leader. While this is a leaders’ summit, it is being held in South Korea, so I believe the Sun in this chart represents Lee Jae-Myung. We don’t have a time of birth for him, but we do know he has a Sagittarius natal Sun.

As we discussed at the start, Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, and Lee’s Jupiter is in Aries. He has 6 other planets in Virgo or Capricorn, giving him a very grounded energy, but when he gets angry, he gets BIG MAD. That earth energy can keep it in check, though, at least on the surface.

While Citrus Caesar may have felt like this was his Big Boy Trip Day, I see this as trolling on a 4D chess level. The rest of the world’s mileage may vary, but how many other national leaders will only eat mini ham-burders with ketchup? And the “tangerine dessert” literally looks like an orange!

While the replica gold crown is intended to be an honor, it’s likely that Lee also knew it would make the 14-Karat Kleptocrat bend to his will on trade negotiations, a small price to pay for a big economic win while South Korea works to diminish its dependence on the U.S. for both economic and military security.

To be honest, I think Lee’s approach was brilliant. He played to Dipshidiot Donnie’s ego and attraction to shiny things in such an over the top way that almost no one noticed the subtle, but brutal, shade that was layered in-between. He got what he needed for his country and those of us watching closely can now chuckle along with the inside joke.

Anyway, it remains to be seen what exactly comes from this year’s APEC summit, but there is a whole big world out there. America is not the only game in town. In fact, Ballroom Bonespurs is already heading back to the U.S. He didn’t even stay for the full Leaders’ Summit. The world order is changing on its own terms, and we may soon find ourselves in its rearview mirror.