The U.S.-South Korea summit is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at the National Museum of Gyeongju, coinciding with the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit.
The South Korean Presidential Office has announced that U.S. President Donald Trump will arrive in South Korea through Gimhae International Airport in Busan as part of his APEC summit itinerary. A special welcome ceremony at the airport will include a guard of honor inspection and a 21-gun salute, separate from the official welcoming event.
The bilateral summit will take place at the National Museum of Gyeongju. It will be structured as an expanded luncheon meeting, with South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung, President Trump, and high-ranking officials from both administrations in attendance. Prior to the main talks, the leaders will engage in a series of ceremonial activities, including signing the museum guestbook, posing for official photographs, participating in a formal welcome ceremony, attending a decoration ceremony, and touring a museum exhibition..
During the day’s events, Lee is expected to present Trump with the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, South Korea’s highest national honor. This is South Korea’s highest order of merit, traditionally awarded only exceptionally to foreign heads of state who have made significant contributions to South Korea’s national security. Should the ceremony proceed as planned, Trump will become the first U.S. president to receive this distinguished honor.
As a diplomatic gift, Lee plans to present a meticulously crafted, gold-plated replica of the Cheonmachong Golden Crown. This artifact, dating back to the early 6th century, is renowned as one of the most ornate and substantial crowns from the Silla dynasty still in existence. The replica was expertly produced by Kim Jin-bae, a leading specialist in cultural heritage reproduction and head of Samsunbang. Sources suggest that this gift was specifically chosen with Trump’s well-known appreciation for gold aesthetics in mind.
