South Korean President comes out of golf retirement (!) ahead of Donald Trump meeting

South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol has reportedly 'got his golf clubs out for the first time in eight years and resumed his golf practice' ahead of meeting U.S. President-elect and golf fanatic Donald Trump in person, according to NBC News. 

Trump, 78, was last week elected the 47th President of the United States.

It will be Trump's second adminstration and he will be sworn in on 20 January 2025. 

Trump revealed on a podcast earlier this month that it would take him 'the better part of 15 minutes to get a deal done' between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's bankrollers the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). 

Related: 

Ahead of meeting U.S. President-elect Trump in person next year, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has immediately got his golf clubs back out the garage and dusted them down in preparation for an afternoon on the fairways. 

"He's got out his golf clubs for the first time in eight years and resumed his golf practice", President Yoon's office told NBC News. 

Trump is an avid golfer and is regularly seen playing the sport. 

It is understood Trump has a 2.8 handicap. 

Yoon has reportedly already been on the phone to Trump to congratulate him on his Presidential victory over Kamala Harris. 

It is claimed by several sources that Yoon and Trump 'agreed to meet in person' after their latest 10-minute conversation. 

According to NBC News, 'Yoon, whose approval rating hit a record low 17% last week, also convened an emergency economic and security meeting over the weekend in response to Trump’s election victory, his office said in a text briefing Sunday.'

Reports this week claim South Korean officials are somewhat concerned about President Trump's vow to impose tariffs of 20% on all U.S. imports.

There are also said to be concerns in South Korea of the overtures Trump could make toward its rival, North Korea.

According to Eurasia Group director David Boling, Yoon is taking a page out the book of Japan's late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who loved a game of golf.

Abe, who was tragically assassinated in 2022, held a close bond with President Trump and they regularly played golf together when meeting each other in United States and Japan. 

The former Japanese Prime Minister also gifted Trump with a set of gold-plated golf clubs during a November 2016 visit to Trump Tower in New York. 

"He [Abe] flattered Trump, he gave him gold golf clubs, he nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize,” said Boling.

"The thing that was remarkable to me about Abe is he was willing to sacrifice his own rather large ego to make space and room for Trump’s big ego."

Watched our latest golf video?