South Korean President Moon Jae-in Resumes Golf to Strengthen Ties with Trump
In a bid to strengthen diplomatic relations with the United States, South Korean President Moon Jae-in has resumed playing golf, a sport that he and former U.S. President Donald Trump share a passion for.
Moon, an avid golfer, and Trump first bonded over their shared love of the sport during their first meeting in 2017. The two leaders have since played golf together on several occasions, most recently in June 2019.
Moon's decision to resume playing golf is seen as a strategic move to improve relations with the United States, which have been strained in recent months over issues such as trade and North Korea's nuclear program.
By playing golf with Trump, Moon is hoping to build rapport with the U.S. president and create a more conducive environment for dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual concern.
Golf diplomacy has been a successful tool for building relationships between world leaders in the past. For example, former U.S. President Barack Obama used golf to build a strong rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which helped to improve relations between the two countries.
Whether Moon's golf diplomacy will be as successful as Obama's remains to be seen. However, it is a clear indication of Moon's desire to improve relations with the United States and to find common ground with Trump.
Benefits of Golf Diplomacy
- Builds rapport between leaders
- Creates a more conducive environment for dialogue and cooperation
- Can help to resolve conflicts and build trust
- Can be a fun and enjoyable way to spend time with colleagues
Challenges of Golf Diplomacy
- Can be seen as a frivolous or elitist activity
- Can be difficult to schedule and coordinate
- Can be weather-dependent
- Can be physically demanding
Conclusion
Golf diplomacy is a complex and challenging undertaking, but it can be a powerful tool for building relationships between world leaders and resolving conflicts. By resuming playing golf with Trump, Moon is signaling his desire to improve relations with the United States and find common ground with the U.S. president.
