(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporters Go Dong-wook, Seol Seung-eun, Jo Daun, and Ahn Jeong-hoon = The Blue House announced that it is true that President Lee Jae-myung was at the golf course at the time of the Daegu commercial building ceiling collapse on the 10th, but that it received a report on the scene and ordered a prompt response.
When People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo announced that he would hold a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon saying, "President Lee was playing golf at the time of the accident," he preemptively disclosed the fact that he was playing golf, which was unusual.
On the 11th, the Blue House explained in a notice in the name of the Spokesperson's Office, "President Lee visited Taereung Golf Course with his family the day before," and "At the scene, we were informed of a ceiling collapse in a commercial building in Daegu."
He continued, "Afterwards, I spoke directly with Acting Police Commissioner Kim Jong-cheol and received a detailed report on the casualties, whether there were any fatalities, and the extent of injuries. After that, I instructed the relevant agencies to do their best to save lives and to make every effort to resolve the accident quickly and safely."
This is interpreted to mean that there was no problem at all in taking care of unexpected situations related to public safety as the top person in state affairs even at the golf course.
The Blue House believes that linking the accident, which resulted in a significant number of injuries, to President Lee's golf schedule is largely intended to be used as a political offensive, and is interpreted to have taken a preemptive response unlike before.
Given that President Lee is likely to have a round of golf with U.S. President Donald Trump on the occasion of the G20 summit to be held in Miami in December, the Blue House also senses the view that raising an issue about golf practice, even though it is an extension of the president's work, is excessive political strife.
It has been reported that some inside the Blue House are of the opinion that legal action should be taken against Rep. Joo, saying that there is a possibility of violating the law if he discloses the reported photos or videos. It is argued that because security personnel, vehicle size, and equipment are classified as confidential, filming them and disclosing them could result in a violation of security regulations or infringement of portrait rights.
The Blue House said, "The principle is not to confirm the President's private schedule and private holiday schedule, but the unusual disclosure is to prevent unnecessary controversy over the private holiday schedule," and added, "We regret that the President's private schedule is being used for political battles."
At a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon, Rep. Joo Jin-woo said, "We received important information. It is that President Lee played emperor golf at Taereung CC on October 10th and opened a clubhouse exclusive to the president and was there. (The President) left Taereung CC around 4:49 p.m.," and added, "We have secured photos and videos of a security vehicle parked within Taereung CC, and we will disclose all of them."
He said, "He only puts on a show on social media, but during a major disaster, the emperor plays golf without the public's knowledge. This is already the third time following a fire at a government agency and the disappearance of a South Korean navy soldier. The first rescue operation for the Daegu accident was completed at 10:40 a.m., but the entrance to the Blue House came at 12:30 p.m., a whopping two hours later. On October 10, he revealed how he responded to the collapse accident by minute and second, and with whom he played golf when the navy soldier went missing. “Please explain to the public whether golf fees were paid as special activity fees,” he demanded.
Later, in a Q&A, he said, "This time, when we even secured photos of the inside of the golf course as evidence, he had no choice but to admit it, leaving the interview for 10 minutes. How much did the (government and ruling party) criticize Emperor Golf during the last administration? It's an insult. This Emperor Golf should also bow down in front of the people and apologize," he said, raising his voice.
In response to this, Jo Gye-won, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, "It seems that the party has not yet decided on a position (on the issue)," and then added, "Didn't the President say that there would be a need to meet (at the golf course) for diplomatic issues with President Trump and other such issues in the future? I ask for your understanding in that regard."
