South Korea welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump with great honour and greeted him like a ‘king’ by gifting him a golden crown on October 29, 2025, during his official visit to Gyeongju.
President Lee Jae Myung awarded Trump with the country's highest medal, “Grand Order of Mugunghwa" upon his arrival in South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC Summit 2025.
Lee gave Trump a specially gilded replica of a crown from an ancient Korean kingdom during a ceremony at the Gyeongju National Museum.
The gifted crown “symbolises the divine connection between the authority of the heavens and sovereignty on earth, as well as the strong leadership and authority of a leader,” said Korean officials.
The official added that President Lee gifted him the crown to commemorate his state visit and to recognise a “golden age of the Korea-U.S. alliance.”
According to Lee, the U.S. President was presented with a golden crown in recognition of Trump's role as a "peacemaker" on the Korean Peninsula.
Trump is the first U.S. President to receive South Korea's highest honour, "Grand Order of Mugunghwa.”
He thanked Lee for the gifts, and while looking at the medal, Trump said, “It's really beautiful. I’d like to wear it right now.”
Additionally, Trump arrived in South Korea ahead of a highly anticipated meeting.
Trump landed in Gyeongju to wrap up the Asian trip through high-profile trade talks expected with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I think we’re going to have a great meeting with President Xi of China, and a lot of problems are going to be solved,” said Trump.
The U.S. President seemed optimistic about his first face-to-face meeting in six years, suggesting that the damaging trade war between the two countries could be dialled back.
