Base Group, a mid-sized Korean conglomerate that drew international scrutiny last year for a $2 million payment to the Trump Organization, announced Thursday that it will establish Trump International Golf Club in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province.

In a press release, the company described the project as "the first Trump-brand golf development project in Northeast Asia." Hanam was selected for its accessibility from the Seoul metropolitan area.

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization and the second-oldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, said he was excited to partner with Base Group and bring the Trump brand to Korea for the first time. He described Korea as "an extremely dynamic and sophisticated market" and said the organization sees "tremendous potential in creating a world-class Trump-branded golf course."

Base Group Chairman Kim Sung-jib called the project "a milestone for not only Base Group but also the domestic golf industry."

"We are delighted to introduce Trump International Golf Club Korea together with the Trump Organization," Kim said. "Through this project, we will create a world-class golf environment, differentiated services and a truly exceptional luxury destination. We expect it to become a leading premium golf destination representing not only Korea but also the broader region."

The announcement follows years of relationship-building between Base Group and the Trump family. Chairman Kim attended Trump's second inauguration in Washington in January 2025 and subsequently met Eric Trump at Trump National Doral golf club in Florida. In February, Base Group hosted the younger Trump at its Seoul headquarters, where he met with Korean political and business figures. Eric Trump also visited the development site in Hanam alongside Kim and Hanam Mayor Lee Hyun-jae on February 11.

The Trump Organization operates a global portfolio of golf properties under branding and licensing arrangements, with courses in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The Korean project extends that model to a market where golf is a popular pastime among executives and public officials, and where domestic golf industry revenue has grown steadily in recent years.

Base Group is known for Keumyang International, which imports and sells wine from Trump Winery in Virginia, and controls Camus E&C, a mid-sized construction firm.

The conglomerate attracted international attention in July after The New York Times reported that Base Group made a $2 million payment to the Trump Organization last year. The report raised questions about whether the payment was an attempt to influence U.S. Department of Commerce proceedings involving Korea Aluminium, a Base Group affiliate.

U.S. Democratic senators subsequently launched a probe. Both Base Group and the Trump family told The New York Times that the payment was related to the golf course project, which had not yet been publicly announced. The scrutiny is part of a broader pattern of questions about President Trump's business entanglements during his time in office, including whether foreign deals involving the Trump Organization create potential conflicts of interest.

Separately, the Commerce Department issued a preliminary ruling that could raise tariffs on Korea Aluminium's exports to 105.8 percent. U.S. authorities have accused Korea Aluminium of circumventing duties on Chinese-made aluminum. The company supplies aluminum foil products used in prescription drug packaging, ice cream cone containers, and other applications.