Trump's arrival at Gimhae International Airport in nearby Busan set the tone for the extravaganza. As Air Force One touched down, a formation of U.S. F-35 fighters and South Korean F-15K jets streaked overhead in a synchronized escort, their contrails painting the autumn sky. On the tarmac, a military band from the Republic of Korea Armed Forces struck up an unexpected but fitting rendition of the Village People's "YMCA," prompting Trump to flash his trademark thumbs-up and briefly mimic the song's iconic dance moves. A crisp 21-gun salute followed, echoing across the airfield as South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun extended a formal bow and handshake.
The honors escalated swiftly from there. In a private ceremony at the airport's VIP lounge, President Lee Jae-myung, who assumed office in June following a snap election amid national turmoil, personally pinned the Grand Order of Mugunghwa on Trump's lapel. Named after the Rose of Sharon – South Korea's national flower, symbolizing resilience and eternal bloom – the award is the pinnacle of the country's Order of Civil Merit. Lee's office described it as recognition of Trump's "unwavering role as a peacemaker on the Korean Peninsula," alluding to his first-term summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2018 and 2019, as well as his recent overtures for renewed talks. A South Korean presidential spokesperson confirmed to reporters that Trump is the first sitting U.S. president to receive this distinction, previously granted to figures like former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Japanese Emperor Akihito.
Visibly delighted, Trump quipped, "I'd like to wear it right now – it's tremendous, folks, absolutely beautiful," as he admired the medal's intricate enamel work and gold accents. The moment underscored the personal rapport between the two leaders, with Lee donning a bespoke gold-hued tie for the occasion. "It reflects President Trump's impeccable taste for the finer things," a presidential aide explained with a wink, nodding to Trump's well-documented affinity for gilded aesthetics.
From Busan, the entourage helicoptered to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage site often dubbed the "Museum Without Walls" for its 2,000-year-old tombs, pagodas, and artifacts. Though not a conventional hub for mega-summits, Gyeongju was selected as the host for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, running from October 27 to November 1, to evoke themes of enduring peace and prosperity. The choice proved symbolic: At the Gyeongju National Museum, amid displays of royal relics, Lee presented Trump with a meticulously crafted replica of the Cheonmachong crown – a 1,500-year-old gold diadem unearthed from a Silla tomb, weighing over 1 kilogram and adorned with mythical horse motifs. "This crown represents a golden era of harmony on our peninsula," Lee intoned during the handover. "May it herald a new chapter of shared growth and stability between our nations." Trump, cradling the artifact like a trophy, replied, "It's a winner – pure gold, just like our alliance."
The day's agenda pivoted seamlessly from ceremony to cuisine, with a working lunch at the museum's pavilion tailored to Trump's palate. Chefs from Seoul's Michelin-starred establishments crafted a fusion menu that married Korean staples with Stateside comforts. Starters featured mini wagyu beef patties slathered in ketchup – a subtle homage to Trump's fast-food affinities – alongside a "Korean Platter of Sincerity" comprising banchan small plates of kimchi, pickled radish, and seasoned spinach. The main course spotlighted grilled mackerel glazed with a novel fusion of gochujang (fiery red chili paste) and Heinz ketchup, balancing spice with tangy sweetness. For sides, a Thousand Island-dressed salad evoked New York's iconic delis, with Lee's office cheekily billing it as a tribute to "the president's success story in his hometown."
Dessert capped the meal with the "Peacemaker's Brownie," a fudgy chocolate square dusted in edible gold leaf and topped with a single Mugunghwa blossom made of white chocolate. "It's not just food; it's diplomacy on a plate," quipped White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who noted the menu's role in fostering "warm, productive vibes." Over the repast, the leaders delved into substantive matters. They announced the finalization of a long-stalled trade agreement, building on a July preliminary pact. Under the deal, South Korea commits to $350 billion in U.S. investments over five years, focusing on semiconductors, electric vehicles, and critical minerals – sectors vital to countering China's dominance. Tariffs on South Korean autos drop from 25% to 15%, easing burdens on Hyundai and Kia exporters while opening doors for American LNG and agricultural goods. "This is a huge win – fair trade, not free trade," Trump declared, slapping the table for emphasis. Lee, a former human rights lawyer who rose from factory child laborer to president, echoed the sentiment, pledging to "modernize our alliance" by boosting South Korea's defense spending to alleviate U.S. troop costs in the region.
The visit's broader canvas is the APEC summit, where Trump's itinerary intersects with high-stakes multilateralism. Preceding the full leaders' gathering on October 31-November 1, Wednesday's events included Trump's keynote at the APEC CEO Summit, where he touted "America First" deals inked earlier in Malaysia and Japan – including rare-earth supply chains and tariff reductions. Looming largest is Thursday's bilateral with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the trip's marquee event. Amid a months-long trade skirmish – exacerbated by Beijing's rare-earth export curbs and Washington's fentanyl-related tariffs – both sides have inched toward a framework. Trump expressed optimism en route from Tokyo: "Xi's a tough guy, but smart. We're going to solve a lot of problems – big league." Analysts anticipate modest concessions, such as phased tariff rollbacks and tech investment safeguards, paving the way for Trump's planned China visit in early 2026.
Trump's overtures to North Korea added intrigue. Reiterating his invitation for a Kim summit – floated since August – he told reporters aboard Air Force One, "If he wants to meet, I'll be here. It's pretty easy." Seoul's reunification minister pegged the odds at "considerable," though no plans materialized. The specter of Kim's recent missile tests, reported just days prior, lent urgency, with Trump vowing to address Japanese abductee families' pleas during Tokyo stopovers.
Evening festivities unfolded at the Hilton Gyeongju, where a leaders' dinner convened counterparts from Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, and Singapore. The wine list spotlighted Trump Winery vintages – a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Virginia estate helmed by son Eric – paired with bulgogi and bibimbap. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, and others toasted the U.S.-South Korea pact, though whispers of schedule reshuffles rippled through delegations. Trump's early arrival – a day ahead of the core APEC calendar – prompted itinerary tweaks, with some envoys rerouting flights to align.
Logistics in the historic city, home to 4,000 cultural relics but limited high-end lodging, sparked minor friction. Reports of hotel crunches for staff circulated, yet the Foreign Ministry countered that only 50% of Gyeongju's 2,500 rooms were occupied, with overflow in Busan. Security, meanwhile, was ironclad: 10,000 police officers ringed the Bomun Lake Resort venue, where protesters waved placards decrying Trump's "ultimatum to Asia-Pacific" and erected a life-size cardboard cutout of the president, brandishing red cards. One demonstrator, a 28-year-old activist named Ji-yeon Park, told reporters, "This opulence masks the real costs – tariffs hurting our exporters, alliances dragging us into U.S.-China fights."
Critics at home and abroad questioned the pageantry's proportionality. In Washington, Senate Democrats decried the trip's timing amid a 29-day government shutdown, with SNAP benefits teetering. Progressive voices in Seoul, including youth groups, lambasted Lee's overtures as pandering to Trump's ego, diverting from domestic woes like economic slowdown and gender divides. Yet supporters hailed it as savvy realpolitik: South Korea, hosting APEC under the theme "Bridge, Business, Beyond," positions itself as a neutral broker in U.S.-China rivalry, bolstering its $1.7 trillion economy.
As Trump departed the dinner, gold crown in tow, he reflected on the day: "Korea knows how to welcome a friend – bigly." With Xi's shadow looming and Kim's missiles fresh in mind, the tour's legacy hinges on tomorrow's deliverables. For now, in Gyeongju's lantern-lit streets, the Rose of Sharon bloomed brighter, a fragile emblem of peace amid Pacific tempests.
