South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is dusting off his golf clubs after a nearly decade-long hiatus to prepare for future meetings with US President-elect Donald Trump. Yoon, 63, aims to improve his game to facilitate smooth conversations with Trump, who’s known for his love of golf. An official from Yoon’s office noted that hitting the ball properly is essential for building a strong rapport with Trump.
Yoon previously played golf regularly, scoring in the 90s, according to a playing partner cited in the daily Kyeongin Ilbo ¹. Trump, a self-proclaimed golf enthusiast, owns several courses globally and often boasts about his single-digit handicap on social media.
This move is seen as an attempt to establish a personal connection with Trump, following in the footsteps of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who gifted Trump gold-plated clubs and played with him on multiple occasions ¹. However, Trump’s stance on Asian security allies and trade deficits has raised concerns in Seoul.
Key Statistics Highlighting South Korea’s Contributions to the US:
- Job Creation: South Korea has created 470,000 jobs in the US, offering the highest annual salary among Asian foreign direct investors.
- US Weapons Imports: South Korea is a significant importer of US weapons.
- Defense Spending: South Korea allocates 2.8% of its GDP to defense.
These statistics were released by Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a pamphlet titled “Korea Matters to the US”.
