Indian Prime Minister Gifts 7.5-Carat Diamond
U.S. President Joe Biden and the First Lady's gifts received from foreign leaders in 2023 have been disclosed. Among these was a diamond valued at approximately 30 million won, which is officially stored in the White House East Wing.
On the 3rd (local time), the Associated Press reported on the U.S. State Department's annual accounting report containing this information. According to the report, the most expensive gift recorded was a 7.5-carat diamond worth $20,000 (about 29 million won) that First Lady Jill Biden received from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President Biden also received numerous valuable gifts. Included was a commemorative photo album and other gifts worth $7,100 (about 10.4 million won) received in 2023 from South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was impeached after declaring martial law. From the Mongolian Prime Minister, he received a Mongolian warrior statue worth $3,495 (about 5.1 million won); from the Sultan of Brunei, a silver bowl worth $3,300 (about 4.8 million won); from the President of Israel, a silver tray worth $3,160 (about 4.6 million won); and from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a collage artwork worth $2,400 (about 3.5 million won).
In addition to the diamond, Mrs. Biden received several other gifts. She was given a brooch worth $14,063 (about 20.6 million won) from the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, and bracelets, brooches, and albums worth $4,510 (about 6.6 million won) from the Egyptian President and First Lady.
These gifts are handled according to federal law. The law stipulates that U.S. government officials must report gifts valued at $480 (about 700,000 won) or more received from foreign heads of state or organizations. Gifts valued below $480 can be kept, but those above this amount are generally transferred to the National Archives or officially displayed. Recipients may purchase the gifts from the U.S. government at market value, but AP noted that this is rare, especially for high-value items.
Additionally, CIA officials also received high-value gifts such as watches, perfumes, and jewelry from foreign informants and others. According to the State Department's protocol office, CIA Director William Burns received a celestial navigation chart worth $18,000 (about 26 million won), which was transferred to the General Services Administration (GSA), and an Omega watch worth $11,000 (about 16 million won) was discarded. Other CIA staff reportedly discarded diamond necklaces, watches, rings, and similar items.
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