US President Donald Trump has become the first American leader to receive South Korea’s highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, which has been awarded to him in recognition of his efforts to fulfil peace on the Korean Peninsula.
“I would like to wear it right now,” Trump said, after being presented the medal by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, where he’s attending the APEC CEO summit.
Trump said he would cherish the “beautiful” medal, saying it was a “great honor” to receive it and adding that US-South Korean relations would only get stronger.
Lee praised Trump’s efforts to resolve issues with North Korea and, again, requested him to play the role of “peacemaker,” the Seoul’s presidential office said.
When the two met at the White House in August, Lee asked Trump to play the role of peacemaker to improve inter-Korean relations.
During his first term in office, Trump held a series of unprecedented meeting with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un. There has been speculation the pair could meet again while Trump is in Asia this week, but earlier on Wednesday Trump say he might need to “come back” for that.
The grand order of Mugunghwa is usually presented to South Korean presidents but can also be given to presidents of allies who significantly contribute to securing South Korea’s national security.
French President Emmanuel Macron was previously presented the medal by former President Moon Jae-in in 2018, according to Yonhap.
