Korean media: The medal given to Trump by South Korea contains 712 grams of gold, with the gold alone worth over 10 million won
On the 29th, US President Trump, who visited South Korea as a state guest to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting, was awarded the highest honor of South Korea, the "Order of the Paulownia Flowers".
On the 29th, during the welcome ceremony held at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongsangbuk-do, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea presented President Trump with the "Order of the Paulownia Flowers" and said, "This medal embodies the gratitude of the South Korean people." President Lee also gifted Trump a model of the "Tomb of the Heavenly Horse Golden Crown" as a present.
The Order of the Paulownia Flowers is the highest national honor awarded by the Republic of Korea. It is only granted to the president of South Korea and his spouse, or to former and current foreign heads of state who have made outstanding contributions to national security. Trump became the first US president in history to receive the Order of the Paulownia Flowers.
President Trump expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you very much, I will cherish it," and added, "This will further strengthen the solid alliance between South Korea and the United States." He also said, "I want to wear it right now," expressing a high level of satisfaction.
The Order of the Paulownia Flowers is manufactured by the Korean Mint Corporation, and it usually follows two standards, with a production cycle of about two months.
The medal consists of four parts: the badge, the star, the collar decoration, and the lapel badge.
Each part is decorated with symbols: a phoenix symbolizing the president, the sun representing national prestige, red earth symbolizing achievements, a golden crown symbolizing the highest status, a chain of points symbolizing national unity, a butterfly symbolizing good fortune, an endless flower emblem representing administrative divisions, a Taeguk symbolizing Korea, a laurel wreath symbolizing peace and freedom, and red embroidery symbolizing passion and determination.
As the highest honor in South Korea, the amount of precious metals required for the making of this medal is considerable. It includes 190 mace (712.5 grams) of gold, 110 mace (412.5 grams) of silver, and is set with decorative materials such as rubies, amethysts, and seven treasures.
Especially in the context of recent sharp increases in gold prices, the value of the gold used in the medal alone is as high as approximately 130 million won (based on the market price on the 29th). Previously, the cost of producing the Order of the Paulownia Flowers awarded to former President Moon Jae-in and his wife upon their departure was 68.23 million won per set.
This gift of the medal is also considered to be specially tailored to take into account President Trump's personal preference for "gold." The day before, Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto Asahi also gifted Trump a "golden golf ball" as a present.
Sources: JoongAng Daily
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847393507175436/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.