South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has recently resumed playing golf for the first time in eight years, as part of his preparations for upcoming discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, as confirmed by Yoon’s office on Tuesday. Reports from South Korean media indicate that Yoon visited a golf course on Saturday, marking his return to the sport he last engaged in back in 2016.

During a press conference on Thursday, Yoon expressed optimism about the potential rapport between himself and Trump, stating, “Many close to President Trump have indicated that President Yoon and Trump will have good chemistry,” following his congratulatory call to Trump on his election victory.

Yoon also mentioned that former officials from the Trump administration and prominent Republicans have offered their assistance in fostering a relationship with the new president. Analysts suggest that Yoon may aim to leverage a personal connection with Trump to further South Korea’s interests, particularly as Trump’s “America First” foreign policy and unpredictable approach unfold during his second term. The South Korean economy is significantly dependent on trade with the United States, and during Trump’s first term, tensions arose over the financial responsibilities related to the approximately 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, a remnant of the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

Officials in Seoul are actively preparing for significant economic changes, while President Yoon has called for discussions between the government and industry to strategize for Trump’s potential return. Ramon Pacheco Pardo, an expert in Korean affairs at King’s College London, noted that the similar backgrounds and outsider perspectives of both Trump and Yoon could facilitate a productive relationship. He also mentioned that Yoon is generally well-regarded by U.S. policymakers, which could be advantageous regardless of who advises Trump on foreign policy.

Bruce Klingner from the Heritage Foundation in Washington concurred that a strong relationship between the two leaders is possible, but he cautioned that it may not be enough to shield South Korea from adverse effects. He pointed out that while many leaders aim to emulate the friendship between Trump and Shinzo Abe, there is little evidence that such personal connections yielded significant benefits for Japan, referencing the late former Japanese prime minister.