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President Lee Jae-myung signs the White House guestbook as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during their summit in Washington, D.C., on August 25. / Source: Yonhap

At the U.S.-Korea summit in Washington on August 25, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea presented President Donald Trump with an unexpected gift — his own pen.

Before entering the Oval Office, Lee signed the White House guestbook with the pen when Trump, watching nearby, remarked, “Nice pen. Mind if I use it?” Lee replied, “It would be an honor. It suits your complicated signatures very well,” and handed it over.

Trump admired the pen repeatedly, commenting on its “beautiful thickness” and asking where it was made. He showed it to those around him, saying he might not use it but would “keep it as something very special.”

In the guestbook, Lee wrote: “A new era of the golden age of the U.S.-Korea alliance and a strong and great future begins. August 25, 2025. President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung.” Trump praised the handwriting and asked if Korean was difficult to learn, jokingly comparing accuracy between Korean and English.

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The guestbook message written by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the White House in Washington, D.C., ahead of his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on August 25. / Source: Yonhap

Lee responded, “Korean is slightly better for computers, but English is better for speaking.” He also requested a gift in return, noting that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had received a photo album during his visit. Trump promised to prepare a present before Lee’s departure, joking, “Remind me so I don’t forget — I might be too busy.”

Later, Trump presented Lee with a signed photo from their meeting, as well as autographed golf balls, shirt pins, “MAGA” hats, commemorative coins, and other items from the White House “gift room.” He also wrote a personal message: “You are a great leader. Korea will have an amazing future at higher heights with you. I will always stand with you.”

For his part, Lee brought Trump customized gifts from Korea, including golf clubs engraved with Trump’s name, a metal model of a turtle ship crafted by master assembler Oh Jeong-chul of HD Hyundai, and specially designed “cowboy-style MAGA hats” for both Trump and his wife Melania.

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A cowboy-style MAGA hat, one of the gifts prepared by President Lee Jae-myung for U.S. President Donald Trump during the summit on August 25. / Source: Presidential Office

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A handcrafted metal model of a turtle ship, presented by President Lee Jae-myung to President Donald Trump as part of the summit gift exchange. / Source: Presidential Office