This is the gold key received as a gift by President Lee Jae Myung from U.S. President Donald Trump. (Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik's Facebook page)

By Kang Gahui

President Lee Jae Myung has received a gold "key to the White House" from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik in Seoul on Dec. 24 wrote this on his Facebook account, saying, "President Trump on Dec. 16 sent his special regards to President Lee in talks with Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha."

President Trump was quoted as saying, "I really like him (President Lee)," adding that both leaders built the best cooperative relationship.

Mentioning the gift, the U.S. head of state said he wished to reciprocate the gift he received from President Lee during the former's visit to Korea in October.

Personally designed by President Trump for select recipients, the key was decorated with the U.S. presidential seal and engraved with the phrase "Key to the White House."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo are among the awardees of this item.

"We hope that the gold gift, which possesses special meaning, will emerge as a symbol of our strong relationship with the U.S.," Chief of Staff Kang said. "We will keep building a future for the indomitable Korea-U.S. alliance."

kgh89@korea.kr