At the first Korea-China summit after taking office, President Lee Jae-myung on the 1st gave Chinese President Xi Jinping a Honbi tree Go board and a mother-of-pearl lacquer round tray.
The presidential office said the reason for the Go board gift was that "both leaders like Go, and it was prepared in consideration of the fact that our side presented Go stones when President Xi visited Korea 11 years ago," adding, "It carries the hope that the ties between Korea and China will unfold beautifully on a Go board made of top-grade solid Honbi tree wood on which the Go stones gifted at the time can be placed."
It added, "Just as Korea and China lead the world of Go, it also carries the hope that the two countries will continue a good relationship."
The Honbi tree Go board was made from a Honbi tree. The Honbi tree is known as the finest material for Go boards. The presidential office said, "Honbi is a wood prized for its deep color, clear resonance, and outstanding durability, recognized in both Korea and China as the best Go board material," adding, "We are also presenting a Honbi wood carved stand intricately engraved with traditional Korean patterns."
Lee is also said to like Go. On the 30th, as Lee held a Korea-Japan summit, he presented Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with Go stones and containers.
The mother-of-pearl lacquer round tray that Lee presented to President Xi that day was made using a traditional spiral technique. The presidential office said, "Najeon (mother-of-pearl inlay) is a traditional craft handed down through the meticulous hands of artisans since a thousand years ago in the Goryeo period," adding, "It embodies the hope to continue, inherit, and develop the long-standing friendly relationship between Korea and China."