靑 “President Lee receives report of Daegu collapse accident at golf course and orders rapid response”

The Blue House announced that it is true that President Lee Jae-myung was at the golf course when the ceiling of a commercial building in Daegu collapsed on the 10th, but that he received a report on the scene and ordered a prompt response.

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 has so far maintained its stance of not confirming whether President Lee played golf on holidays, citing reasons such as 'private schedule'. Therefore, disclosing this is considered unusual.

On this afternoon, People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo had announced that he would hold a press conference at the National Assembly saying, "President Lee was playing golf at the time of the accident."

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."