Monarch-loving Trump gifted replica of golden crown once worn by South Korean kings

GYEONGJU: President Donald Trump may be facing protests back home calling for "no kings" in the United States, but in South Korea, officials had the perfect gift for the monarch-loving magnate - a replica golden crown.

Trump met South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday (Oct 29), part of a visit in which he is expected to hold tense trade talks with China's Xi Jinping.

And capping a lavish welcome ceremony in the historic South Korean capital of Gyeongju, Trump was presented with a replica of a crown worn by the kings of Silla, the dynasty that ruled from 57 BC to 935 AD.

The gift from South Korea was a replica of "the largest and most extravagant of the existing gold crowns" from the Silla period, Trump was told.

It represented "the divine connection between heavenly and earthly leadership".

The delicate original Cheonmachong crown, which was found in a tomb in Gyeongju, features towering gold prongs and dangling leaf shapes.

Seoul's presidential office said the crown symbolises "peace, coexistence, and shared prosperity on the peninsula - values that mirror the Silla dynasty's long era of stability".

Trump has made no secret of his love of monarchies the world over.

Americans rallied across the country this month in opposition to what organisers call Trump's "king-like" presidency and erosion of democratic norms in the United States.

Trump mocked the rallies on social media, sharing artificial-intelligence-generated posts showing himself wearing a crown while flying a fighter jet emblazoned with the words "King Trump" dumping faeces on protesters.

The US leader was also presented in South Korea with the Grand Order of Mugunghwa - the country's highest decoration.

The medal had a laurel leaf design that symbolises prosperity and it was given "in anticipation of the peace and prosperity you will bring to the Korean peninsula", Trump was told.

"It's a great honour," the US president said. "I'd like to wear it right now."

Trump's love of gold is also well-known.

He has bedecked the Oval Office with gold the White House described as "of the highest quality".

And he was gifted gold-plated golf balls during a visit to Tokyo this week.

President Lee wore a gold tie to his meeting with Trump symbolising the "golden future" of the alliance between the two countries.

The Silla crown replica was also chosen in light of Trump's "known preference for gold decorations at the White House", the presidential office said.
 

The leaders had a working lunch that included Thousand Island salad dressing, in what Lee's office said was a nod to Trump's "success story in his hometown of New York". The meal also included local specialties "according to President Trump's preferences".

On the menu were "mini beef patties with ketchup", a "Korean Platter of Sincerity" featuring US beef and local rice and soybean paste, and grilled fish with a glaze of ketchup and gochujang, a red chilli paste.

The lunch was capped by a "Peacemaker's Dessert" consisting of a brownie adorned with gold.

The dessert plate will feature the word "PEACE!", Seoul's presidential office said earlier, echoing the two leaders' first meeting when they pledged to act as a "peacemaker" and a "pacemaker" for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

But tensions with North Korea remain high after Pyongyang brushed aside Lee's outreach and instead deepened military and economic links with Russia.

And Trump said Wednesday he was not able to arrange a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to the South, ending fierce speculation over a possible summit after years of diplomatic deadlock.

Wednesday will wrap up with a dinner with the leaders of Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand and Singapore. The leaders will be served Trump Chardonnay and Trump Cabernet Sauvignon, from a winery run by Trump's son, Eric Trump, according to Lee's office.

Three diplomatic sources said some of those leaders changed their schedules to accommodate Trump, who arrived and will leave before the scheduled Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leader's summit on Friday and Saturday.

Gyeongju is not typically the scene for such international events, and foreign diplomats complained of difficulties booking rooms, finding suitable venues for meetings, and having to move staff from Seoul.

On Wednesday, South Korea's Foreign Ministry disputed reports of room shortages, saying only about half the available accommodation in the area was booked.