It was a crowning achievement for President Donald Trump as he became the first American to receive South Korea’s highest honor.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung awarded Trump the Grand Order of Mugunghwa Wednesday during a ceremony in Gyeongju, Mediaitereported.
The award is the highest national honor in South Korea and is usually awarded to heads of state.
Lee cited Trump’s “work trying to achieve peace on the Korean peninsula.”
Trump was given an ornate medal and a replica of a Silla-era crown, which was described as the “largest and most extravagant” among the six remaining from Korea’s first unified kingdom.
The announcer proclaimed the honor given “in anticipation of the peace and prosperity” Trump will bring to the region.
“That is really beautiful. I’d like to wear it right now,” Trump said of the medal. “Thank you so much. We’ll cherish it. Thank you very much everybody.”
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Trump said the honor was “very special,” but did not try on the crown, which was given to Trump days after No Kings rallies were help to protest him and his presidency.
Lee said the gift symbolized a “golden age” of U.S.-South Korean relations.
The crown and medal are the latest gifts Trump has received during his Asian tour.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gave Trump a golden golf ball and a signed putter that was owned by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was close to the president.
