"Tak Hyunmin Reveals Origin of 'Presidential Pen' Coveted by Trump: 'Made During Moon Administration'"

Trump Receives Spontaneous Gift from President Lee
Tak Hyunmin Shares the Origin of the "Presidential Pen"
"Glad the Moon Administration's Legacy Helped the New Government"

During the recent South Korea-US summit, President Lee Jaemyung drew attention by spontaneously gifting a signing pen to US President Donald Trump. Tak Hyunmin, who previously served as protocol secretary at the Blue House and is now an event planning advisor to the Speaker of the National Assembly, stated, "I feel pleased that the legacy of the Moon Jaein administration seems to have been helpful."

President Lee Jae Myung is writing in the guestbook at the White House in Washington DC, USA, on the 25th (local time) while being observed by President Donald Trump. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 26th, Advisor Tak explained the background behind the creation of the presidential signing pen during the Moon Jaein administration via his social media account, saying, "I recall that the dedicated signing pen for the president was created after the inter-Korean summit." He reminisced, "At that time, when President Moon Jaein and Chairman Kim Jong Un signed the September 19 Military Agreement and other documents, the North used a Montblanc fountain pen, while the South used a name pen, which caused significant embarrassment for the protocol secretary at the time."

He continued, "Of course, it was President Moon who preferred the name pen, but it did not look good and the comparison in terms of protocol was problematic." He added, "After that, I thought we should create a dedicated pen for the president's signing ceremonies, so we made and used wooden and metal pens with the presidential emblem engraved and a refill inside." He also said, "Whenever there was a signing, the protocol secretary and the chief of the presidential secretariat would each carry a pen and hand it to the president for use."

The Pen Coveted by Trump Was Made in Korea... One and a Half Months of Handcrafting

During the recent South Korea-US summit, President Jae Myung Lee made headlines by spontaneously gifting a signing pen to US President Donald Trump. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Advisor Tak also posted a photo of the pen used by former President Moon during the last year of his term, adding, "I don't remember what the last thing signed with this pen was, but it is likely the same design and type as the pen President Lee gifted to President Trump today." He continued, "I just feel good. It seems that the legacy of the previous administration, or rather the administration before last, has been of some help to the new government." However, he clarified, "The pen was made during the Moon Jaein administration, but I was not the one who made it."

Previously, on the 25th (local time), before the South Korea-US summit at the White House in Washington DC, President Lee used his own signing pen to write in the guestbook and then gifted it to President Trump. As President Lee was signing, President Trump asked, "Is the pen yours, Mr. President?" and repeatedly said, "It's nice." He also showed continued interest in the pen by asking, "Are you going to take it back? I like that pen. The thickness is very beautiful. Where was it made?"

Advisor Tak posted a photo of the pen used by former President Moon during the last year of his term, adding, "I don't remember what the last thing signed with this pen was, but it is likely a pen of the same design and purpose as the one President Moon gifted to President Trump today." Tak Hyunmin Facebook

President Lee replied, "It's Korean," and made a gesture with both hands indicating that President Trump could keep it. When President Trump asked if he could use the pen himself, President Lee responded, "It would be an honor," and added, "It will be useful for the difficult signatures a president has to make," readily agreeing. After receiving the pen as a spontaneous gift, President Trump said, "I may not actually use it, but I will treasure this gift with great honor and appreciation."

The pen manufacturer is 'Jenail,' a domestic handmade fountain pen company. This company is known for its artisans who hand-carve pens from solid wood, and depending on the product, customers can choose materials such as rosewood or olive wood. It is also notable for using natural materials like palm leaf extract wax and beeswax, and the retail price of its products ranges from 80,000 to 150,000 won. The Presidential Office reportedly requested a custom order about one and a half months prior to the summit. After this fact became known, Jenail stated, "There are no plans to sell the pen used by President Lee Jaemyung." They added, "We are sorry that we cannot provide a better answer to those who have shown interest by visiting us. We did not expect this to become such an issue, but we are very grateful for the attention."