Trump’s role as a “peacemaker” earns him the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, South Korea’s highest honor

Donald Trump receives the highest honor in South Korea from President Lee Jae Myung, who praises his work as a “peacemaker.”

At a grandiose welcome ceremony in Gyeongju, South Korea awarded US President Donald Trump the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, the country’s highest honor.

Trump’s Asia tour, which also included stops in Malaysia and Japan, came to an end on Wednesday. He is anticipated to have important trade discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

According to the South Korean presidential office, Trump’s “role as a peacemaker on the Korean peninsula” is recognized by the prize, which is named after the nation’s national flower. He was also given a gold crown replica that was modeled after the ancient Silla monarchy.

When Trump was given the glittering ornament, he declared, “I want to wear it right now.” He was the first US president to ever receive the honor, according to a South Korean official.

A military band performed “YMCA,” a gun salute reverberated over the tarmac, and US and South Korean warplanes escorted Air Force One as part of an elaborate ceremonial marking Trump’s arrival.

President Lee, sporting a custom gold tie, claimed it “captures the golden future of the South Korea-US alliance and the status of South Korea, and reflects President Trump’s taste for gold.”

Trump and Lee had a working lunch during the visit that was tailored to Trump’s preferences and included grilled fish glazed with ketchup and gochujang, “mini beef patties with ketchup,” and a “Korean Platter of Sincerity” created with US beef and local rice.

The Thousand Island attire was included as “a nod to President Trump’s success story in his hometown of New York,” according to Lee’s office. A brownie adorned with gold was served as the “Peacemaker’s Dessert” to cap off the meal.

Trump Chardonnay and Trump Cabernet Sauvignon from his son Eric Trump’s winery were offered to the two leaders at a meal later with equivalents from Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, and Singapore.

Although Pyongyang has not yet responded, Trump reaffirmed his invitation to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to continue negotiations.

“This represents Silla’s history of preserving a long-term period of peace on the Korean Peninsula, as well as a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared development on the Korean Peninsula that the United States and South Korea will cooperate for,” a statement from Lee’s office read.

According to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, only roughly half of the available accommodations were reserved, despite some logistical concerns raised by international diplomats regarding the unusual choice of Gyeongju as a venue.