South Korea's Yoon takes golf lessons ahead of key talks with Trump

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has started practising golf after an eight-year hiatus, his office confirmed on Tuesday that this preparation is aimed at future engagements with US President-elect Donald Trump.

According to South Korean media reports, Yoon made his return to the golf course on Saturday, marking his first game since 2016, as confirmed by his office.

"A lot of people close to President Trump... (told me) President Yoon and Trump will have good chemistry," Yoon said at a press conference on Thursday, following his congratulatory telephone call to Trump.

Yoon mentioned that former Trump administration officials and influential Republicans have offered assistance in establishing connections with the incoming president.

Experts suggest that Yoon might attempt to leverage a personal relationship with Trump to protect Seoul's interests, particularly considering Trump's "America First" foreign policy stance and his distinctive leadership approach in his upcoming second term.

The United States remains a crucial trading partner for South Korean businesses. During Trump's first presidency, both nations experienced tensions regarding the financial responsibilities for maintaining approximately 28,500 US troops in South Korea, a military presence dating back to the 1950-1953 Korean War.

Seoul officials are preparing for potential economic shifts, while Yoon has called for collaborative discussions between government and industry sectors to address Trump's return.

Ramon Pacheco Pardo, a Korean affairs expert at King's College London, suggests that the comparable personalities and non-traditional approaches of both leaders could facilitate a positive relationship.

"I also think that Yoon is generally well-liked by policy-makers in the United States, which will help him, whoever advises Trump on foreign policy," he added.

Bruce Klingner from the Heritage Foundation in Washington acknowledges the potential for a strong personal connection but cautions that this might not shield South Korea from adverse effects.

"While many leaders will seek to replicate the friendship that Shinzo Abe had with Trump, there is no evidence that personal relationship resulted in any tangible, demonstrative benefits for Japan," noted the former CIA analyst, referencing the late Japanese prime minister.

He further pointed out that Japan received similar treatment to South Korea in challenging military cost-sharing negotiations.