South Korean president prepares golf game for Trump’s return – Washington Examiner
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is preparing for a potential “golf diplomacy” with President-elect Donald Trump, who is expected to return to the White House in January 2025. Acknowledging Trump’s affinity for golf, which he utilized to build relationships with lawmakers and global leaders during his first presidency, Yoon has started practicing golf for the first time in eight years. His preparation comes as he aims to engage in diplomatic discussions over nine or 18 holes, especially in light of Trump’s history of hosting international leaders at his various golf courses across the U.S. and around the world. Trump’s connections with leaders, including the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, emphasize the significance of personal rapport in international relations. As Trump campaigns for reelection, he has integrated mentions of his golfing experiences into his public discussions.
South Korean president prepares golf game for Trump’s return
President-elect Donald Trump is teeing up for a return to the White House in January 2025, and one world leader is preparing his game ahead of the golf lover’s return to power.
Trump, a known golf enjoyer, played often throughout his first four years as president and used the endeavor to get close with lawmakers and world leaders. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is readying his golf skills ahead of expected diplomacy mixed in with nine or 18 holes on the golf course, his office told CNN.
Yoon “recently began practicing golf again for the first time in eight years, in preparation for ‘golf diplomacy’ with President-elect Trump,” the outlet reported, after “following the advice of those around him.”
The president-elect has various golf courses in Florida, Virginia, and New Jersey, along with others around the country and the world. His visits to his golf courses during his first term included one with the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whom Trump grew a strong relationship with during his tenure. Abe was assassinated in 2022, more than a year after Trump left office.
While campaigning for a return to the White House, Trump has occasionally discussed his golf game and the sport at a wider level, along with hitting the greens.
During the presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden in June, the two sparred over their golf games, including a dispute over their golf handicaps.
The president-elect was also targeted while golfing at his course in Florida two months ago, marking the second assassination attempt on him during the campaign cycle. The second would-be assassin was thwarted before getting in the line of sight of Trump.
The U.S.-South Korean relationship made headlines during Trump’s first term in office with Trump’s outreach efforts to North Korea. Since leaving office, tensions have mounted between the two Koreas as the North associates more closely with Russia and other adversaries.
Threats by North Korea, China, and Russia are expected to be some of the top foreign policy issues for the Trump administration, along with wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
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