Gyeongju: President Lee Jae Myung gifted U.S. President Donald Trump a replica of a gold crown from an ancient Korean kingdom and awarded the highest state medal to mark Trump's state visit to the country. The replica of the Cheonmachong crown was presented during a welcoming ceremony for Trump at the Gyeongju National Museum in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, which served as the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935).
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed hope for new trust and companionship between Korea and the United States as he gifted Trump the crown encased in a glass box. Deputy Foreign Minister for Protocol Affairs Kim Tae-jin noted that the gift symbolizes the spirit of Silla, which brought peace to the Korean Peninsula, and the strengthening of the Korea-U.S. alliance. The crown is seen as a representation of the divine connection between heavenly authority and earthly sovereignty, as well as strong leadership.
The ornate Silla-era artifact is considered a masterpiece of ancient Korean metallurgy, having been excavated from the Cheonmachong Tomb in 1973. Alongside the crown, Lee also presented Trump with the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, South Korea's highest decoration, in acknowledgment of his contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula and his ongoing role for peace. This occasion marked the first time a U.S. president has received the honor.
President Trump expressed gratitude to President Lee, highlighting the strong relationship between South Korea and the United States and expressing confidence that it will continue to grow. Trump arrived in South Korea earlier in the day for a two-day state visit to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering, where he will also engage in summit talks with Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping.