SEOUL, Dec 24 (Yonhap) -- US President Donald Trump has gifted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung a specially designed gold key to the White House in return for the presents he received during his visit to South Korea in October, Lee's chief of staff said on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang Hoon-sik said in a Facebook post that Trump handed the key to South Korea's ambassador to the United States, Kang Kyung-wha, after she formally presented her credentials to him at the White House on Dec 17.
Photos show the key engraved with the phrase "Key to the White House" and displayed in a wooden case featuring an image of the presidential residence.
The senior aide said the US president praised his relationship with Lee during the conversation with Seoul's top envoy, quoting Trump as saying, "I really like him."
During Trump's visit to the southeastern city of Gyeongju in late October ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Lee presented him with a replica of the Cheonmachong gold crown from the ancient Silla Kingdom and awarded him South Korea's highest state medal.
Trump is known to have personally designed the golden key as a ceremonial gift for special guests. Past recipients include former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and football star Cristiano Ronaldo.
The senior aide said he hopes the key will become a symbol of the strong relationship between the two nations, adding, "We will continue to build a solid future for the Korea-US alliance."
-- BERNAMA-YONHAP
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