Monarch-Loving Trump Gifted Golden Crown Replica and South Korea’s Highest Honor During Visit
GYEONGJU, Oct 29: U.S. President Donald Trump received a royal welcome in South Korea on Wednesday, complete with a replica of an ancient golden crown once worn by Silla dynasty kings and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, the nation’s highest state decoration.
Trump met South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in the historic city of Gyeongju, where the lavish ceremony celebrated the long-standing alliance between the two nations ahead of his upcoming talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The golden crown replica, modelled after “the largest and most extravagant” of the original Silla crowns dating back to 57 BC, was presented to Trump as a symbol of divine leadership and unity between heaven and earth. South Korea’s presidential office said the gift also represented “peace, coexistence, and shared prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.”
The original Cheonmachong crown unearthed in a Gyeongju tomb is known for its towering gold prongs and intricate leaf-shaped ornaments. Officials said the replica was chosen to reflect Trump’s well-known fondness for gold decor, including his famously gilded White House office.
In addition to the crown, Trump was also awarded the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, a rare honor usually reserved for heads of state and royalty. The medal, adorned with a laurel leaf design symbolizing prosperity, was presented “in anticipation of the peace and prosperity you will bring to the Korean Peninsula,” President Lee told him.
“It’s a great honour,” Trump said, smiling. “I’d like to wear it right now.”
The meeting included a working lunch prepared with Trump’s preferences in mind, featuring mini beef patties with ketchup, a “Korean Platter of Sincerity” combining U.S. beef with local rice and soybean paste, and grilled fish glazed with ketchup and gochujang, a traditional red chili paste.
Dessert was a symbolic “Peacemaker’s Brownie” topped with edible gold and the word PEACE! echoing the leaders’ shared pledge to promote stability on the peninsula. President Lee himself wore a gold tie, which his office said symbolized “the golden future of the U.S. Korea alliance.”
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, tensions with North Korea remain high, as Pyongyang continues to strengthen military and economic ties with Russia while rejecting Seoul’s offers of dialogue.
Trump confirmed that he did not meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit, ending speculation of a surprise summit after years of diplomatic stalemate.
Still, the visit underscored South Korea’s efforts to maintain strong ties with Washington amid regional uncertainty and reflected a touch of royal pageantry tailored perfectly to Trump’s love for gold and grandeur.