South Korea Welcomes Trump with Golden Crown, Top National Honor, and a Ketchup-Inspired Feast

South Korea rolled out an elaborate welcome for former U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, presenting him with a replica of a golden crown and conferring upon him the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa.

Trump arrived in South Korea on the final leg of his Asia tour, which also included stops in Malaysia and Japan. During the visit, he is expected to hold high-profile trade talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

As Air Force One entered South Korean airspace, it was escorted by U.S. and South Korean fighter jets. On the tarmac, a military band played “YMCA” while gun salutes marked the occasion.

President Lee expressed hope that Trump might ease U.S. tariffs on South Korean exports during their talks, and praised his earlier diplomatic outreach to North Korea.

Lee’s office said Trump received the Grand Order of Mugunghwa — named after the national flower, the rose of Sharon (hibiscus) — in recognition of his “role as a peacemaker on the Korean Peninsula.”

Holding the gleaming medal, Trump reportedly said, “I’d like to wear it right now.” According to South Korean officials, he is the first U.S. president ever to receive the award.

During his first term, Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un several times before talks broke down as Pyongyang advanced its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. On Wednesday, Trump reiterated his invitation to Kim for renewed dialogue, though North Korea has yet to respond.

President Lee wore a custom gold-colored tie, which his office described as symbolizing Trump’s “fondness for gold,” the “golden future of the South Korea-U.S. alliance,” and the nation’s global stature.

The two leaders met in the historic city of Gyeongju, once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, renowned for its royal tombs and palaces. Trump was gifted a replica of the Cheonmachong gold crown, a delicate artifact unearthed from a royal Silla tomb, adorned with tall spires and leaf-shaped pendants.

Lee’s office said the crown represented “Silla’s legacy of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula” and the shared commitment of South Korea and the United States to a new era of peaceful coexistence and mutual growth.

A working lunch followed, featuring a symbolic touch of Trump’s tastes. The meal included mini beef patties with ketchup, a ‘Korean Platter of Sincerity’ with U.S. beef, local rice, and soybean paste, and grilled fish glazed with ketchup and gochujang, a traditional red chili paste. The meal ended with a “Peacemaker’s Dessert” — a brownie topped with edible gold.

The day was set to conclude with a multilateral dinner attended by leaders from Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, and Singapore. According to Lee’s office, guests would be served Trump-branded wines — Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon — from his son Eric Trump’s winery.

Diplomatic sources said some leaders adjusted their schedules to accommodate Trump’s visit, which comes just ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit later this week.

Hosting such a high-profile event in Gyeongju posed challenges for organizers, as the city rarely handles international summits. Foreign diplomats reported difficulties securing lodging and meeting venues, though South Korea’s foreign ministry dismissed reports of shortages, stating that only half of available accommodations were occupied.