Trump's Golden Welcome in South Korea

South Korea extended a warm welcome to President Donald Trump, presenting him a replica gold crown and the 'Grand Order of Mugunghwa,' the nation's highest accolade, according to the presidential office. Trump's visit to South Korea marked the final leg of his Asia tour, which included stops in Malaysia and Japan, setting the stage for significant trade discussions with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

As Air Force One approached South Korea, U.S. and South Korean fighter jets escorted the aircraft, with a South Korean military band playing 'YMCA' on the tarmac while a salute was fired. At the heart of the visit were stretched negotiations aimed at reducing U.S. tariffs on South Korea, as President Lee praised Trump's efforts in reaching out to North Korea.

An official note from Lee's office highlighted Trump's 'peacemaker' role on the Korean peninsula as the reason for bestowing the 'Grand Order of Mugunghwa,' named after the national flower. Enthusiastically, Trump expressed his desire to don the award immediately, marking him as the first U.S. president honored in such a way. Despite previous summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaching an impasse over nuclear arms progress, Trump reiterated an invitation for further dialogue. Further diplomatic gatherings followed as international leaders rearranged schedules to engage with Trump ahead of the APEC summit in Seoul.