On the 19th, President Lee Jae Myung prepared gifts that highlight the region’s character, including an Andong Hahoe mask wood-carving frame, for Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, who is visiting Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, for the Korea-Japan summit.

In a written briefing, Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said that President Lee prepared, as gifts for Prime Minister Takaichi visiting Korea that day, an Andong Hahoe mask wood-carving frame that reflects Andong’s distinctiveness and the meaning of Korea-Japan relations; a Joseon Tongsinsa set (red ginseng and a hanji leather bag·the Joseon Tongsinsa Procession Painting from the 37th year of Sukjong used for gift wrapping); and a white porcelain frame.

The ‘Andong Hahoe Mask Wood Carving’, consisting of nine types of Hahoe masks, symbolizes harmony and conveys wishes for the development of friendly relations between the two countries. Kang added that a leather bag made of hanjione of the symbolic exchange items between the two countries during the Joseon Tongsinsa eraand red ginseng were prepared to embody the long-standing, solid bonds between the two nations and expectations for continued exchange and cooperation.

The white porcelain frame also features a moon jar representing the moon, regarded in both countries as a symbol of wishes, expressing hopes for amicable relations between Korea and Japan.

For Prime Minister Takaichi’s spouse, a Joseon Tongsinsa set will be presented along with a Snowflake gimyeong, vessel) set. The Snowflake gimyeong set uses zinc glaze and silver to express a beauty as if snowflake crystals have blossomed, capturing the snowy scenery and atmosphere of Fukui Prefecture, the hometown of Prime Minister Yamamoto’s spouse.

Andong citizens have also prepared gifts. According to Chief Spokesperson Kang, the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Andongpo Weaving Village Preservation Association prepared a single-layer blanket made of Andongpo, which was historically presented to the royal court, to convey wishes for Prime Minister Takaichi’s health and peace.

The Andong Hahoe Village Clan Association prepared a mini jangseung set, imbued with the idea that jangseungguardian totems that protected people from evil spirits or diseasealign with the role of the leaders of the two countries.

In the afternoon, President Lee will hold a summit with Prime Minister Takaichi in Andong, followed by a joint press announcement and social schedule. This visit to Korea is a return visit in response to President Lee’s trip to Japan in January.