NARA (Japan), Jan 14 — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung gifted a drum set to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi following their summit, in another gesture of friendship towards Takaichi, who once played heavy metal drums, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Following their summit talks on Tuesday, which sought to deepen bilateral relations, Lee presented Takaichi with a drum set made by Korean brand Markers and a pair of drums crafted by a Korean lacquerware artisan.
The two leaders staged an impromptu drum performance to K-pop songs during their informal meeting, after which they exchanged signed drumsticks.
Lee also presented Takaichi with red ginseng products, as well as pills and powder made from cheonggukjang, a fermented soybean paste similar to Japan’s natto.
For Takaichi’s husband, Lee prepared a traditional Korean bronzeware set and Samsung’s latest smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Cheong Wa Dae said the bronzeware was intended as a gesture wishing the couple good health, while the smartwatch was meant to assist with health management.
In return, Takaichi presented Lee with a Casio wristwatch equipped with solar charging and made with biomass plastic, reflecting the president’s fondness for hiking, Cheong Wa Dae said.
Takaichi also gave First Lady Kim Hea Kyung a set of cosmetic brushes and a pouch made by Akashiya, a Nara-based company specialising in calligraphy brushes, it added.
