[APEC 2025] Lee gifts Trump replica of ancient gold crown, awards highest state medal

All News 15:46 October 29, 2025

By Chae Yun-hwan

GYEONGJU, South Korea, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung gifted U.S. President Donald Trump a replica of a gold crown from an ancient Korean kingdom and awarded the highest state medal to mark Trump's state visit to the country.

The replica of the Cheonmachong crown was presented during a welcoming ceremony for Trump at the Gyeongju National Museum in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, which served as the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935).

"To new trust and companionship between Korea and the United States," Lee said through an interpreter as he gifted Trump the crown encased in a glass box.

"We present this gold crown to you on this joyous occasion of your state visit to Gyeongju because it symbolizes the spirit of Silla, which brought peace to the Korean Peninsula for the first time, and the opening of the golden age of the Korea-U.S. alliance," Deputy Foreign Minister for Protocol Affairs Kim Tae-jin said.

President Lee Jae Myung (R) claps as he presents U.S. President Donald Trump a replica of the Cheonmachong crown and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa -- the country's highest decoration -- during a welcoming ceremony for the U.S. president at the Gyeongju National Museum in the southeastern city of Gyeongju on Oct. 29, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

The official said the crown symbolizes the "divine connection between the authority of the heavens and sovereignty on Earth, as well as the strong leadership and authority of a leader."

The ornate Silla-era artifact has been hailed as a masterpiece of ancient Korean metallurgy after archaeologists excavated the golden crown in 1973 from the Cheonmachong Tomb in the city.

Lee, who was wearing a golden tie, also presented Trump with the Grand Order of Mugunghwa -- the country's highest decoration -- in recognition of his contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula and his continued role for peace.

It marked the first time that a U.S. president has received the honor.

Trump thanked Lee, noting that South Korea and the United States have a "very great" relationship, saying it will get stronger.

Trump arrived in South Korea earlier in the day on a two-day state visit to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering. On the sidelines, he will hold summit talks with Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping.