South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is returning to golf after a long hiatus to prepare for future interactions with US President-elect Donald Trump, according to his office. Yoon, 63, who hasn't played in nearly a decade, is reportedly brushing up on his skills in anticipation of the second Trump administration.
"In order for smooth conversations," a presidential office official explained, "President Yoon needs to hit the ball properly." Yoon used to regularly score in the 90s, according to the daily Kyeongin Ilbo, citing a playing partner. Trump, known for his love of golf and owning several courses, often boasts about his skills on social media and claims a single-digit handicap.
At a recent press conference, Yoon mentioned that people believe he and Trump would have "good chemistry," noting their shared experience of entering top office as political novices. Yoon, a former prosecutor, took office in 2022. World leaders have attempted, with varying success, to build personal ties with Trump through golf. For instance, the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played multiple rounds with Trump and even gifted him a set of gold-plated clubs.
Despite these efforts, Trump's insistence on Asian security allies bearing more financial responsibility for their protection and his threats of tariffs have caused concern in Seoul. In response, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a pamphlet titled "Korea Matters to the US," highlighting South Korea's economic contributions, including creating 470,000 jobs in the US and being a key importer of US weapons.
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