Trump, S. Korea’s Lee exchange gifts at summit
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The first-ever in-person meeting between the leaders of the two countries wrapped up on Aug 25.
PHOTO: EPA
A model of South Korea’s famous “turtle ship”, a putter and Make America Great Again (Maga) hats were prepared by President Lee Jae Myung for US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania.
But the American leader showed particular interest in what eventually became a gift off the list: a pen Mr Lee brought to sign the White House guest book.
The first-ever in-person meeting between the leaders of the two countries wrapped up on Aug 25 in what was described as an “amicable and practical” summit, according to Mr Lee’s presidential office.
Mr Trump expressed willingness to re-engage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Mr Lee encouraged him to play a “peacemaker role”.
As the two leaders held a meeting in the Oval Office, Mr Trump showed keen interest in the pen Mr Lee used to sign the guest book.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung signs the guest book as US President Donald Trump looks on at the White House in Washington, DC, on Aug 25.
PHOTO: EPA
“Are you going to take it back?” Mr Trump asked jokingly, after saying he liked the pen for its thickness.
Mr Lee gestured with both hands for him to keep it and said, “It was made in Korea”, adding “It will be useful for the president’s difficult signatures”.
The pen, engraved with Korea’s taegeuk symbol representing the cosmic balance of the universe, and “bonghwang” or feng huang – a mythological bird that symbolises the South Korean presidency, was gifted to the US leader on the spot.
Presidential pen of Mr Lee Jae Myung, given as a gift to US President Donald Trump.
PHOTO: SOUTH KOREA’S PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE
Mr Lee’s official gifts to Mr Trump were revealed via a press release on Aug 25 and included a model of the turtle ship used by the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-shin during a Japanese invasion in the 16th century.
The battleship was a key component of Adm Yi’s undefeated Navy forces in the seven-year war during the Joseon era from 1392 to 1910. The presidential office said the gift was to demonstrate the superb shipbuilding capabilities of Korea that incorporate tradition and modern technology.
Turtle ship model given by President Lee Jae Myung to US President Donald Trump.
PHOTO: SOUTH KOREA’S PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE
The turtle ship also nods to cooperation in the shipbuilding industry between the two countries, which was a key item on the agenda in the Aug 25 meeting, according to Mr Lee’s office. The model was built by master craftsperson Oh Jeong-cheol of HD Hyundai Industries, an engineer famous for his turtle ship models.
The other gifts were on a more personal level, such as a putter from local brand Gold Five. It is engraved with Mr Trump’s name and was custom-built for the US leader, who is 191cm tall and an avid golfer.
The last item on the list was a pair of cowboy hats for Mr Trump and his wife, with the flags of South Korea and the US on the side and carrying the message Make America Great Again in the front. Maga has been a political slogan for Mr Trump throughout his presidential campaigns and presidential terms.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, during a later press briefing, said Mr Trump commented that Mr Lee was a “great person and great leader”, adding he was a “warrior”, while stressing the partnership between the two countries.
A handwritten letter from Mr Trump expressing the mutual support of South Korea and US was also handed to Mr Lee, Mr Kang said.
Mr Trump handed out to Mr Lee and other guests from South Korea gifts from the White House, signing items such as his emblematic red Maga cap.
Other gifts included the menu of the luncheon between the two leaders and the challenge coin Mr Trump started handing out in his administration. The blue and gold coin features the presidential seal on one side and “45th and 47th” under “President of the United States” on the other, referring to Mr Trump’s two terms as chief executive.
Mr Lee also made a personal gift: the well-known photo of Mr Trump thrusting his fist in the air after being shot during an open-air campaign stop in Pennsylvania in 2024.
Mr Trump was shot in the ear by a man whose motives remain largely unknown, as he was promptly shot and killed by Secret Service, but the image of Mr Trump pumping his fist in the air as he shouted “Fight! Fight! Fight!” while being escorted off the stage quickly became iconic.
The same photo was presented to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during his visit to Washington in December 2024, after Mr Ishiba reportedly pointed at the picture and told Mr Trump: “I thought that you must certainly have felt then that you were one chosen by God.”
Mr Trump reportedly signed the photo and gave it to Mr Lee, with the message praising Mr Lee for being “a great leader”. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
