Overview
- South Korea’s presidential chief of staff posted photos confirming the gift and its engraving, describing it as a mark of strong ties.
- Trump handed the key to Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha after her White House credential ceremony for delivery to President Lee.
- Kang Hoon-sik quoted Trump as praising his relationship with Lee and saying, “I really like him.”
- The presentation is framed as reciprocation for Lee’s October gifts of a Silla-era crown replica and the nation’s highest state medal.
- Kang said Lee is the fifth recipient of Trump’s custom key, with past honorees reported to include Benjamin Netanyahu, Taro Aso, Elon Musk and Cristiano Ronaldo.