The process of urgently transporting the 'MASGA' project, which became a breakthrough in the South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, to the United States has been revealed.

On the 3rd, the government reveals to the media a red hat with the phrase 'MASGA' made for the conclusion of the U.S.-South Korea tariff negotiations at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. /Courtesy of News1

Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Office's policy office, appeared on KBS 1TV's 'Sunday Diagnosis' on 4th and said, 'In fact, if Chosun had not existed, the negotiations would have gone in parallel lines', emphasizing that the MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) project proposal played a significant role in this negotiation.

On this day, Kim unveiled the physical form of the 'MASGA' hat in the studio. He emphasized, 'We designed and brought 10 of them to the United States', indicating that they put forth their utmost effort to create such a symbolic item.

In relation to this, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained that the 'MASGA' hat was designed using artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT based on ideas from employees of the ministry's shipbuilding and marine plant division since early June.

Initially, there were 3 to 4 designs for the 'MASGA' hat, but after discussions, it was decided to adopt the current design with the U.S. flag and the Korean Taegukgi on a red hat, with the letters embroidered in white thread. This consideration was made based on the preferences of President Donald Trump, who enjoys golf and often wears a red hat.

After creating the hat designs, ministry officials personally visited a company in Dongdaemun, Seoul, where textile manufacturers are concentrated, to inquire about producing the hats.

After Minister Kim and Yeo Han-koo, head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters, proposed the MASGA project to Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, during their meeting in Washington D.C., they swiftly searched for the MASGA hats locally, while a 'operation' was launched domestically to urgently transport the hats to the United States.

Kim noted, 'The ministry's officials closely consulted with Korean Air regarding the local request that the MASGA hats must arrive within 24 hours, and they went to Incheon Airport with 10 sealed MASGA hats to board a flight to Washington.'

He further explained, 'Thanks to the employees' efforts, the MASGA hats were successfully handed over to the local negotiation team the next day.'

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