President Lee Jae-myung on the 29th awarded the Grand Order of Mugunghwa to U.S. President Donald Trump, who is on a state visit. The Grand Order of Mugunghwa has been awarded to the leaders of 50 countries so far, but Trump is the first U.S. president to receive it. He is also the first among the leaders of the four major powers, including the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, to receive it.
The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is Korea's highest order and is awarded to the president and the president's spouse. It may also be awarded to the head of a friendly nation and the spouse, or to a former head of a friendly nation and the spouse whose contributions to Korea's development and security are clear.
Until former President Rhee Syng-man and former President Yun Po-sun, only presidents received the order, but starting with Park Chung-hee's spouse, Yuk Young-soo, first ladies also received it.
By president, the timing of receiving the order is divided between right after inauguration and just before leaving office. Up to former President Kim Dae-jung, it was received at the time of inauguration, but former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak were decorated at the end of their terms. Because it is an order that recognizes achievements, the view that receiving it early in a term is awkward was reflected.
Former President Park Geun-hye received it at the time of inauguration, and former President Moon Jae-in again pushed the conferral to the end of the term. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol was also scheduled to receive it at the end of the term, but after impeachment became the only president who did not receive the Grand Order of Mugunghwa.
Among foreign leaders, in 1964 German Federal Republic (West Germany) President Heinrich Lübke was the first to receive it. At the time, Germany provided Korea with loans.
In the 1960s to 1980s, as North and South Korea competed to establish diplomatic ties, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa was frequently awarded to leaders of African, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern countries.
Malaysia is the country whose leaders have most frequently received the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, with a total of five decorations. In 1966, King Ismail Nasiruddin and the queen received it; in 1981, King Ahmad Shah Ibni Abu Bakar and the queen; in 1988, King Iskandar and the queen. Then in 1991, King Azlan Shah and the queen; and in 1996, King Jaafar Ibni Abdul Rahman was decorated.
The leaders of France and Germany (including West Germany) have also received the Grand Order of Mugunghwa a total of three times.
All 12 types of orders, including the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, are produced by the Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO). The production period is said to exceed two months.
As the highest order, it contains a lot of precious metals. It is known to use 190 don (712.5 g) of gold, 110 don (412.5 g) of silver, rubies, amethysts, and cloisonné. With the recent surge in gold prices, the gold alone used to produce the Grand Order of Mugunghwa costs more than 1.3 billion won.