Gift Diplomacy: Inside South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's Iconic Art Strategy

The gifts that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung gave to US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have especially attracted the attention of analysts.

From the Cheonmachong golden crown given to US President Donald Trump to the Go board given to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the gifts carefully chosen by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have captured the world's attention. Experts call them the "psychological key" in the art of diplomacy .

Normally, it is rare for anyone to refuse a gift. A carefully chosen gift not only warms the space but also touches the heart of the recipient.

In diplomacy, where every gesture can build trust, gifts not only mark an event, but also carry messages, convey intentions and are sometimes used as a tool of persuasion.

At this year’s APEC summit, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung brought that power to the forefront. From a replica of a thousand-year-old royal crown to a handcrafted Go board, Mr. Lee’s “gift diplomacy” has drawn as much attention as the summit’s policy discussions.

Mr. Lee's diplomatic flair also offers insight into the art and importance of symbolic exchanges between world leaders.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with US President Donald Trump after presenting him with a replica of the Cheonmachong Golden Crown and the Mugunghwa Order of Great Peace at the Gyeongju National Museum on October 29. (Source: Yonhap)

Replica of the gold crown given to President Trump

One of President Lee's most symbolic gifts was a replica of the Silla Kingdom's golden crown given to US President Donald Trump.

The original exquisitely decorated hat, excavated from the Cheonmachong royal tomb in Gyeongju, is a precious symbol of the ancient kingdom of Korea and also the country's artistic heritage.

For Mr Trump – a man who has long valued ceremony, status and symbols of power – the gift was seen as a “strategic olive branch”.

“What is remarkable is not the material value of the gift, but its symbolic message in diplomacy. The golden crown clearly reminds President Trump of his preference for splendor and a strong sense of his own importance,” said Kim Tae-hyung, a political science professor at Soongsil University.

Scholar Kim argues that this gesture was not only ritualistic, but also strategic.

“President Lee knows that this is not a traditional diplomatic meeting and that Trump personally is not a traditional diplomatic figure. This gesture by South Korea has basically satisfied Trump’s ego and paved the way for further discussions,” the expert affirmed.

The era of diplomacy guided solely by politeness and respect is over, at least for the US leader, Mr. Kim added.

“Diplomacy today with President Trump is not traditional diplomacy. It involves understanding what Trump wants and giving it before he asks,” Kim shared.

The Soongsil University professor also said that the South Korean president used a different approach, which is to understand the need to respect Mr. Trump's personal image. And that gift is not only respectful, but also a psychological key.

“Compared to the US-South Korea Summit last August, the atmosphere at APEC this time was completely different. President Lee only had one chance at APEC to change the atmosphere and his approach paid off,” said expert Kim.

'Go Game' with President Xi Jinping

For Chinese President Xi Jinping, who recently made his first official visit to South Korea in 11 years, Mr. Lee presented another treasure: a Go board.

The wood used to make this Go board is yew, which is recognized by both Korea and China as the best wood for making Go boards, due to its fine grain, natural dark brown color, clear resonance, and outstanding durability.

This Go board can fit the chess pieces that South Korea gave to Chinese President Xi Jinping 11 years ago. The gift carries the hope that the relationship between the two countries will continue to develop beautifully like a delicate game of chess. (Source: South Korean Presidential Office)

According to the Korea Herald, this gift was chosen very deliberately. Both President Lee Jae-myung and President Xi Jinping are known to love Go – a game that has long been seen as a symbol of strategy, patience and the art of balance.

Previously, during his visit to South Korea 11 years ago, Seoul also gave President Xi Jinping a set of Go pieces.

"It was a meaningful gesture, not only because both leaders enjoy playing Go, but also because South Korea and China have long shared cultural space in the game. And like the black and white pieces, Seoul and Beijing must continue to maintain a balance in their bilateral political partnership," the South Korean presidential office revealed.

President Lee also presented President Xi Jinping with a lacquer tray inlaid with mother-of-pearl, made using techniques passed down from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The sparkling mother-of-pearl pieces were meant to remind of the “long and enduring relationship” between the two countries, officials said.

A mother-of-pearl lacquer tray gifted to Chinese President Xi Jinping by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. (Source: South Korean Presidential Office)

In return, the Chinese president gave the South Korean president two Xiaomi smartphones - a symbol of a shift from traditional Chinese gifts such as silk and tea. Notably, the Chinese side said the screens of these phones were made in Korea.

Analysts say that China's choice seems to be an indirect declaration of its modernity and technological autonomy, even as the US and its allies continue to blacklist Chinese telecommunications products.

Notably, President Lee's half-joking response to asking, "How secure are these devices?" received laughter, but analysts saw a deeper meaning.

The Chinese leader also gave the South Korean President a set of China's four treasures of stationery, including paper, ink, pen, and inkstone commonly used in the art of calligraphy.

“President Xi Jinping’s gift sends a message of trust in Chinese technology,” said Shin Yul, a political science researcher at Myongji University.

This expert believes that in the context of power grids, satellites and social networks increasingly depending on digital infrastructure, the message that China sends through this gift certainly cannot be overlooked. “It is diplomacy 'encoded' right in the device, with a very clear message: We master high technology – and we are trustworthy,” Mr. Shin commented.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping look at gifts prepared for each other at the Sono Calm Hotel in Gyeongsang Province. (Source: Yonhap)

Regarding gifts for Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife, Peng Liyuan, President Lee prepared a silver-handled teapot with silver cups and a skin care set with eye cream. Meanwhile, South Korean First Lady Kim Hea Kyung also received a traditional Chinese tea set.

For Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Mr. Lee chose a softer, culturally rich approach: introducing seaweed snacks and Korean skin care products.

“Clearly, diplomacy is not just about treaties or security issues. The relationship between leaders also needs closeness, a bit of humor and relaxing moments. Gifts, through very subtle expressions, implicitly send many internal messages – showing that diplomacy sometimes does not need many words, but is conveyed through symbols,” Professor Kim emphasized.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ngoai-giao-qua-tang-ben-trong-chien-luoc-nghe-thuat-bieu-tuong-cua-tong-thong-han-quoc-lee-jae-myung-333159.html