WP: "South Korea Pinpoints Trump's Taste"
Amazed by Gold Crown Gift, Says "I Want to Wear It Right Now"
During his visit to South Korea, U.S. President Donald Trump received a Silla gold crown replica and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, the nation’s highest honor, from President Lee Jaemyung. Foreign media outlets assessed that “South Korea targeted President Trump’s taste with a lavish ‘golden gift.’”
President Lee Jae-myung is shaking hands with U.S. President Donald Trump after presenting him with a 'Cheonmachong Gold Crown Replica' at Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongbuk on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the 29th, The Washington Post reported, “South Korea presented President Trump with a giant crown replica,” adding, “World leaders are appealing to President Trump’s fondness for flashy gifts in an effort to ease trade and defense tensions.”
President Trump made a state visit to South Korea to attend the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, where he held a summit meeting with President Lee at the Gyeongju National Museum. President Lee presented President Trump with the nation’s highest order and a gold crown replica.
The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is crafted with 712.5 grams of gold (190 don), 412.5 grams of silver (110 don), and adorned with rubies, amethysts, and cloisonn?. Due to the recent surge in gold prices, the gold alone is estimated to be worth over 130 million won as of the 29th. The gold crown replica contains 1,000 grams (266.6 don) of gold, which is estimated to be worth approximately 187 million won.
Donald Trump, President of the United States, is delivering a special keynote speech at the '2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit (APEC CEO SUMMIT)' held on the 29th at the Gyeongju Arts Center in Gyeongbuk. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
President Trump was briefed by Kim Taejin, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who explained, “This is a replica of the Cheonmachong Gold Crown, a representative artifact of Silla, the ancient kingdom that first unified the Korean Peninsula. It symbolizes the sacred connection between heavenly authority and earthly rule, as well as the powerful leadership and authority of the ruler.”
The Washington Post noted, “President Lee, wearing a gold tie, personally placed the Grand Order of Mugunghwa on President Trump, making him the first U.S. president to receive this honor. President Trump responded, ‘I want to wear it right now.’”
During the subsequent dinner, President Trump remarked, “The gifts I received today are like works of art and are very special. I am honored to be the first U.S. president to receive this distinction.”
The Washington Post commented, “South Korea has become the latest country to present President Trump with a ‘golden gift,’ as world leaders seek to maintain alliances through flattery and lavish protocol.”
In particular, the Washington Post pointed out that this warm welcome from South Korea came just over two weeks after ‘No Kings’ protests swept across the United States. The ‘No Kings’ demonstrations, which criticized President Trump for ruling the country in a monarchical style, saw about seven million participants in over 2,700 cities nationwide on the 18th. Protesters voiced their opposition to President Trump’s large-scale deportation policies.
Meanwhile, the two leaders agreed during the summit to lower tariffs on automobiles from 25% to 15% in exchange for confirming a $350 billion investment plan in the United States. In his speech at the APEC CEO Summit, President Trump stated, “South Korea is a precious friend,” and emphasized, “Both countries are strengthening shipbuilding and semiconductor production to counter China.” He added, “Together with South Korea, we will build a prosperous shipbuilding industry.”
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