Significant Use of Precious Metals Reflects the Order's Prestige
About 90 Foreign Recipients Since the Founding of the Republic
President Lee Jaemyung will award the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, South Korea's highest honor, to U.S. President Donald Trump, who is visiting South Korea as a state guest to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. This marks the first time a U.S. president has received this order. On the 29th, the presidential office announced that President Lee will personally present the Grand Order of Mugunghwa to President Trump during a decoration ceremony as part of his state visit. This presentation is being held in conjunction with the Korea-U.S. summit and the APEC Summit as part of the diplomatic schedule.
President Lee Jae-myung is applauding after awarding the Grand Order of Mugunghwa to U.S. President Donald Trump at the Gyeongju Museum in Gyeongbuk on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News
Article 10 of the Orders and Decorations Act stipulates, "The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is the highest order of the Republic of Korea and is awarded to the president. It may also be awarded to the president's spouse, heads of friendly states and their spouses, or former heads of friendly states and their spouses who have made significant contributions to the development and security of our nation." When awarded to foreign leaders, the order carries more symbolic significance in strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries than in recognizing specific achievements. Since the establishment of the government, about 90 foreign leaders and their spouses have received the Grand Order of Mugunghwa. The first foreign recipient was Heinrich Luebke, President of West Germany, in 1964. At that time, Germany contributed to Korea's economic development by providing a loan of 140 million Deutsche Marks.
The Grand Order of Mugunghwa, the highest decoration in South Korea, consists of a badge worn over the shoulder, a star worn on the chest, a collar decoration worn around the neck, and a lapel badge. Each ornament carries symbolic meanings: the phoenix (representing the president), the sun (national prestige), the red band (dedication), the golden crown (highest status), the chain (national unity), auspicious knots (good fortune), the Mugunghwa plate (administrative division symbol), the Taegeuk (Republic of Korea), the laurel wreath (peace and freedom), and the red embroidery (passion and determination). The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is produced by the Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation, and typically takes about two months to make two sets. The order to be presented to President Trump may be a "reserve set" prepared in advance for unexpected occasions.
All former presidents awarded themselves the order while in office... Former President Yoon Sukyeol was the only one not to receive it
As the highest honor, the order contains a substantial amount of precious metals: 712.5 grams of gold, 412.5 grams of silver, as well as rubies, amethysts, and cloisonn?. Due to the recent surge in gold prices, the gold alone now costs over 130 million won (as of the 29th). The set of Grand Order of Mugunghwa awarded to former President Moon Jaein and his spouse upon retirement was valued at 68.23 million won per set. Given President Trump's preference for gold as a symbolic color, some interpret the golden Mugunghwa order as particularly fitting. The previous day, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also presented President Trump with a golden golf ball.
Mugunghwa Order of Civil Merit. The Asia Business Daily DB.
The first Grand Order of Mugunghwa was awarded to President Syngman Rhee in 1949. Since then, every president has awarded themselves the order during their term without exception. However, as political polarization has intensified recently, the practice of "self-awarding" has become increasingly controversial. As a result, most presidents receive the order early in their term, but former President Moon Jaein delayed the timing until the end of his tenure. In contrast, former President Yoon Sukyeol, who was removed from office through impeachment, remains the only president who did not receive the Grand Order of Mugunghwa.
According to the 2016 National Assembly Research Service report "Current Status and Improvement Plans of the Korean Honors System," Germany and France, like South Korea, have a system in which the sitting president or prime minister receives the highest order during their term. In contrast, in the United States, it is customary for a sitting president to award the highest honor to a former president after a certain period following retirement. The United Kingdom and Japan also have systems in which the monarch bestows the highest honor on former prime ministers after they have left office.
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