In a bid to strengthen diplomatic ties with the United States, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has taken up golf – a move that mirrors the fondness for the sport held by his American counterpart, Donald Trump. This strategic decision, dubbed ‘golf diplomacy,’ highlights the potential of building personal connections through shared activities to influence international relations.
The 63-year-old President, who had abandoned golf for nearly a decade, has dusted off his clubs in preparation for Trump’s return to the White House. A president’s office official, in a background briefing earlier this week, explained, “In order for smooth conversations,” President Yoon “needs to hit the ball properly.” The daily Kyeongin Ilbo reported that Yoon was an avid golfer in the 1990s, citing a former playing partner. This move underscores the potential of building personal connections through shared activities to influence international relations.
During a press conference last week, Yoon alluded to the potential for a positive rapport with Trump, stating that people had advised him that the two would have “good chemistry.” He pointed out that both leaders were elected to their highest offices as political newcomers. Trump, known for his love of golf, owns several courses in the United States and other countries. He often boasts about his golfing prowess on social media, claiming to have a single-digit handicap. The Guardian reported that Trump played an estimated 261 rounds of golf during his first term as president, averaging a round every 5.6 days, citing a 2021 Washington Post article.
Trump’s penchant for golf has not gone unnoticed by world leaders seeking to strengthen diplomatic ties. The late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, known for his close relationship with Trump, played golf with him on numerous occasions and is reported to have gifted him a set of gold-plated clubs. Despite the potential for ‘golf diplomacy,’ Trump’s repeated vows to make Asian security allies pay a larger share of the financial burden for their protection, and his threats of tariffs to address the US trade deficit, have raised concerns in Seoul. Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a recent X post titled “Korea Matters to the US,” highlighted South Korea’s significant economic contributions to its ally, including the creation of 470,000 jobs in the US, offering the “highest annual salary” among Asian foreign direct investors. They also emphasized that South Korea is a “key importer of US weapons,” allocating “2.8 of GDP” to defence. It remains to be seen whether President Yoon’s strategic golf game will be a successful tactic in navigating the complex relationship between South Korea and the United States, especially in the face of Trump’s potentially disruptive policies. However, this move is a clear indication of the evolving role of personal relationships and shared interests in shaping international relations. Only time will tell if the green will prove to be fertile ground for diplomatic success.
