As Korea looks to navigate the return of Donald Trump to the White House, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has turned to an unexpected tool in his diplomatic toolbox—golf. With Trump’s second term approaching, President Yoon Suk Yeol has resumed practicing golf for the first time in eight years, following the advice of his close associates.
This decision is seen as part of a larger strategy to strengthen ties with the incoming U.S. president, whose affinity for the sport has been a hallmark of his previous term in office.
As countries worldwide prepare for the shift in U.S. leadership, South Korea is keen to establish a strong rapport with Trump, knowing that golf diplomacy could once again play a crucial role in this relationship.
Golf Diplomacy: The Pathway to Trump’s Heart
Donald Trump has long been associated with the game of golf. His vast network of golf courses is integral to his business empire, and the sport played a significant role during his first presidency.
In fact, Trump spent considerable time at his golf properties in Florida, New Jersey, and Virginia, often meeting with lawmakers, business leaders, and foreign dignitaries during his golfing weekends. His ties to golf are more than just personal; they are deeply ingrained in his approach to international diplomacy.
Trump’s love for golf has been a constant theme in his foreign relations, and Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe famously used golf as a diplomatic tool. Abe presented Trump with gold-plated golf clubs during their meeting in 2016, and the two leaders enjoyed rounds of golf in both the U.S. and Japan, deepening their bilateral relationship.
Read : North Korea Revises Constitution, Calls South Korea ‘Hostile State’
Similarly, during Trump’s presidency, golf became a significant part of his interactions with leaders, including those from South Korea. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to take up golf again signals his recognition of the power of this form of diplomacy.
Trump solid down the middle, total yardage 240. Pretty good for a 77 year old man. Golf is a game for life. pic.twitter.com/q86WwSQmC5
— LIV Golf Enthusiast (@LIVGolfEnth) August 10, 2023
By reengaging with the sport, Yoon is preparing himself to engage with Trump in a way that could strengthen their ties, potentially influencing discussions on critical issues such as North Korea, U.S. military presence in South Korea, and regional security.
Trump, North Korea, and South Korea’s Diplomatic Shift
The return of Trump to the presidency comes at a particularly sensitive time on the Korean Peninsula. During his first term, Trump’s administration took bold steps toward engaging North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with unprecedented summits that garnered global attention.
These high-profile meetings were initially seen as groundbreaking, as Trump and Kim exchanged pleasantries, even boasting that they had developed a unique personal relationship. However, the subsequent failure of negotiations on North Korea’s denuclearization left many wondering whether Trump’s approach to the regime had been too conciliatory.
This time around, the situation in North Korea is more precarious. Kim Jong Un’s regime has become increasingly isolated, while tensions with the West have escalated. North Korea’s growing ties with Russia, particularly its support for Moscow’s war on Ukraine, have raised alarms in Washington and its allies, including South Korea.
The situation is further complicated by South Korea’s own stance on North Korea, with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government taking a firm position in support of U.S.-led deterrence efforts and advocating for a more rigorous approach to Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.
For President Yoon Suk Yeol, the challenge will be navigating his relationship with Trump, especially when it comes to handling North Korea. While Trump may be open to rekindling talks with Kim, Yoon is unlikely to support a return to the more lenient approach that characterized his first term.
Instead, South Korea is pushing for clear steps toward Pyongyang’s denuclearization before any further dialogue can take place. In this context, golf diplomacy may offer Yoon an opportunity to steer the conversation with Trump in a direction that aligns more closely with South Korea’s strategic interests.
The U.S. Military Presence in South Korea: A Sensitive Issue
Another area where President Yoon Suk Yeol will need to navigate his relationship with Trump is the future of the U.S. military presence in South Korea. Currently, the U.S. maintains around 28,500 troops on the Korean Peninsula, a critical component of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and a deterrent against potential North Korean aggression.
The presence of these troops is seen as a cornerstone of regional security, as they also serve as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the region.
However, Trump has long viewed the cost of maintaining U.S. troops in foreign countries through a transactional lens. During his first term, he repeatedly criticized South Korea for not paying enough to cover the costs of stationing U.S. forces on its soil.
This issue became a point of contention between the two countries, as Trump’s administration pushed for higher cost-sharing agreements from South Korea.
In response, the two countries reached a tentative five-year agreement just before the 2024 U.S. election, aimed at addressing this issue and preserving the longstanding alliance.
As Trump returns to the White House, President Yoon Suk Yeol will have to balance the U.S. president’s demands with the strategic necessity of maintaining a robust U.S. military presence in South Korea. Yoon’s golf diplomacy, alongside traditional diplomatic channels, will likely play a crucial role in navigating these delicate negotiations.
By resuming his golf practice, Yoon is signaling his readiness to engage with Trump on this sensitive topic, attempting to find common ground while ensuring the security of the Korean Peninsula.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏