What Andong gifts did President Lee give to Japan's Takaichi? Hahoetal masks and a Hanji bag

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[The Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung will hold a summit with Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, in his hometown of Andong on the 19th. The meeting is a return visit after Lee traveled to Takaichi's hometown of Nara Prefecture in January. The two leaders are effectively taking part in diplomacy that goes beyond "shuttle diplomacy" to "hometown diplomacy." Lee is expected to greet Takaichi in person and receive her with a level of hospitality comparable to a state visit.
In a written briefing on the day, Kang Yoo-jung, Chief Presidential Spokesperson, said, "President Lee has prepared gifts for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is visiting Andong in North Gyeongsang Province, including an Andong Hahoetal wooden carving frame, a Joseon Tongsinsa Gift Set, and a White Porcelain Frame." The gift selection was designed to highlight the summit's theme of mutual hometown visits by the two leaders. It also reflects Andong's local character and the significance of Korea-Japan relations. The gifts prepared for Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, carry two symbols: Andong and Korea-Japan exchange. The Hahoetal masks represent the local identity of Andong, President Lee's hometown, while the Joseon Tongsinsa Gift Set symbolizes exchange and friendship between the two countries.
The Andong Hahoetal wooden carving, made up of nine types of Hahoetal masks, symbolizes harmony. In addition, a leather bag made with Hanji, one of the symbolic exchange items between the two countries during the Joseon Tongsinsa era, and red ginseng were prepared. The White Porcelain Frame contains a Moon jar, which is seen as a symbol of wishes, adding a message of hope for the friendly development of Korea-Japan relations. Takaichi's spouse will receive the Joseon Tongsinsa Gift Set along with a Snowflake Gift Set.
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In addition, the Hahoe Folk Village clan association prepared a mini jangseung set, while the preservation group for Andong hemp cloth, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, prepared a summer blanket made from Andong hemp cloth that was once offered to the royal court.
Takaichi's visit to South Korea marks the sixth Korea-Japan summit since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung administration and the second shuttle diplomacy meeting this year. It also comes four months after their summit in Nara Prefecture on Jan. 13.
Takaichi is scheduled to arrive at Daegu International Airport this afternoon and head to the hotel where the summit will take place. President Lee will personally greet her at the entrance. Twelve flag bearers will be stationed on both sides of the hotel entrance, reflecting hospitality comparable to a state visit. Although this is not an official state visit, the protocol and reception have been elevated in light of the symbolism of mutual hometown visits between the two leaders. Afterward, Lee and Takaichi will hold a small-group summit, an expanded summit, a joint press announcement, and a dinner, followed by a separate social event.
At the summit, the two sides will discuss the future direction of Korea-Japan relations in depth. In particular, since President Lee and Takaichi both recently held direct phone calls with Donald Trump, President of the United States, to discuss the outcome of the U.S.-China summit, related issues may come up at the table. They are also expected to address developments in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. In addition, discussions are likely to continue on pending issues such as South Korea's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter