[Gyeongju APEC] From Gold Crown to Baduk Board... Lee's 'Diplomatic Gifts' in the Spotlight

Cheonmachong Gold Crown Replica and Grand Order of Mugunghwa for Trump
Baduk Board and Mother-of-Pearl Lacquered Tray for Xi Jinping
Cosmetics and Seaweed for Prime Minister Takaichi, Reflecting Her Preferences

Diplomatic gifts exchanged during bilateral summits held by Korea at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, such as the 'Cheonmachong Gold Crown Replica' and the 'Bonbijia Baduk Board,' are drawing attention.

Yonhap News Agency

The gift that attracted the most global attention was the 'Cheonmachong Gold Crown Replica' presented by President Lee Jaemyung to U.S. President Donald Trump. The Cheonmachong Gold Crown is the largest and most ornate among Silla crowns, symbolizing powerful leadership and authority. The Korean side gifted the crown to Trump as a symbol of the Silla spirit of peace and as a representation of peace on the Korean Peninsula. When President Lee said, "For a new era between Korea and the United States," President Trump responded, "Of course," and added, "Thank you very much."

On this day, President Lee also awarded President Trump the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, an honor previously given only to heads of friendly nations who have contributed to Korea's security. Looking at the medal, President Trump remarked, "It is extremely beautiful. I almost want to wear it right away." Regarding the Cheonmachong Gold Crown Replica, it was reported that he instructed U.S. officials to "take special care of it."

A photo of President Donald Trump superimposed with a golden crown / Photo by X (X, formerly Twitter)

After President Trump received the gift, social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) were filled with satirical and critical posts featuring images of Trump wearing the gold crown. Amid growing "No Kings" protests in the United States opposing President Trump's unilateral governance, an image of Trump wearing a golden crown spread online as a form of satire. This image was then altered to resemble the Silla gold crown he received as a gift.

President Lee presented President Xi Jinping of China with a Bonbijia Baduk Board and a mother-of-pearl lacquered round tray. The gifts were chosen based on both leaders’ shared interest in Baduk and the fact that, 11 years ago, the Korean side had presented Baduk stones to President Xi during his visit to Korea. The Baduk board was crafted from the highest quality boxwood.

According to the Presidential Office, placing the previously gifted Baduk stones on the board symbolized the hope that the relationship between Korea and China would flourish beautifully. The mother-of-pearl lacquered round tray, crafted using Korea’s traditional lacquerware technique with a long history, was meant to represent the continued succession and development of friendly relations between Korea and China. On the day of President Xi’s arrival in Korea, Lee also gifted him Hwangnam bread wrapped in a cloth.

To Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, President Lee presented Korean cosmetics and seaweed, considering Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks during a press conference that she enjoys Korean seaweed and uses Korean cosmetics. President Mark Carney of Canada received a representative piece of traditional Korean pottery, the double-pierced jar, in consideration of his personal tastes.

Meanwhile, President Trump gifted President Lee a baseball bat signed by Cruz, while Prime Minister Takaichi presented Baduk stones made in Kamakura City. Kamakura City has a sister-city relationship with Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, President Lee’s hometown.