U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at the Gyeongju National Museum, where the Korea-U.S. summit is being held, on the 29th and met President Lee Jae-myung. Trump's visit to Korea is the first in 6 years and 4 months since June 2019 under the Moon Jae-in administration. Entering as a state guest through Gimhae Airport in South Gyeongsang in the morning, Trump entered the venue at about 2:13 p.m., escorted by a traditional military band. President Lee greeted President Trump in front of the Cheonnyeon Misogwan inside the museum, shook hands, and conveyed a welcome.
The Korea-U.S. summit will be held in the format of an expanded luncheon meeting. On the U.S. side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will attend, along with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, USTR Representative Jamieson Greer, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Korea Kevin Kim, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung. On Korea's side, Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Koo Yun-cheol; Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik; Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom; National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac; Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun; Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan; Presidential Chief of Staff for Policy Kim Yong-beom; Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo; and Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung will be present.
Before the meeting, there will be an official welcome ceremony and social event, including a guestbook signing, commemorative photo, and a tour of a Trump merchandise display. President Lee will award President Trump the Mugunghwa Grand Order, Korea's highest order of merit. He also plans to present a specially gold-plated model of the "Cheonmachong gold crown" as a gift. Tailored to Trump, who favors gold-colored ornaments, it was made by Kim Jin-bae, head of Samseonbang and an expert in cultural heritage replication. The presidential office said, "We plan to discuss comprehensive directions for the development of the Korea-U.S. alliance, including trade, investment and economic security cooperation, alliance modernization, and peace on the Korean Peninsula."