Blue House: "President Lee Ordered Swift Handling of Daegu Accident from Golf Course"

The Blue House stated that while it is true President Lee Jae-myung was at a golf course during the ceiling collapse at a commercial building in Daegu on October 10, he received briefings on-site and ordered swift response measures.

The disclosure came after Representative Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party announced plans to hold a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon alleging that "President Lee was playing golf at the time of the accident," prompting the presidential office to preemptively disclose his golfing in an unusual move.

In a notice issued under the spokesperson's office on October 11, the Blue House explained, "The president visited Taereung Golf Course with his family the previous day," adding, "He was briefed on-site about the commercial building ceiling collapse in Daegu."

It continued, "He then spoke directly over the phone with Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency Kim Jong-chul to receive detailed reports on casualties, whether there were fatalities, and the extent of injuries, and instructed relevant agencies to do their utmost in rescue operations and ensure thorough, swift, and safe accident management."

This is interpreted as emphasizing that there was no disruption in handling urgent situations concerning public safety as the nation's top leader, even from a golf course.

The Blue House appears to have taken unprecedented preemptive action, viewing attempts to link an accident that resulted in numerous injuries to President Lee's golf outing as heavily driven by intent to launch a political offensive.

A perspective is also detected within the Blue House that taking issue with golf practice is excessive politicization given that it serves as an extension of presidential duties, particularly since President Lee may play a round of golf with U.S. President Donald Trump on the occasion of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Miami this coming December.

Inside the Blue House, opinions are reportedly emerging that legal action should not be ruled out, as Representative Joo releasing tip-off photos or videos could potentially be unlawful.

The argument is that security personnel, vehicle formations, and equipment constitute classified matters, and photographing and disclosing them could violate security regulations or infringe on portrait rights.

The Blue House stated, "While it is a rule not to confirm the president's undisclosed schedule and personal holiday schedule, this exceptional disclosure is intended to prevent unnecessary controversy over private holiday schedules," adding, "We express regret over using the president's private, undisclosed schedule for political attacks."

At his afternoon press conference at the National Assembly, Representative Joo Jin-woo said, "I received an important tip. It details that President Lee played 'emperor golf' at Taereung CC on October 10 and stayed there after opening the presidential clubhouse. (The president) left Taereung CC around 4:49 p.m." He added, "We have secured photos and videos of security vehicles parked inside Taereung CC and will release all of them."

He continued, "While only putting on a show on social media, is he playing 'emperor golf' behind the public's back during major disasters? Following the fire at national information resources and the disappearance of Republic of Korea Navy personnel, this is already the third time," demanding, "The initial rescue operation for the Daegu accident was completed at 10:40 a.m., but the Blue House statement came a whopping two hours later at 12:30 p.m. Reveal how the collapse was handled on October 10 down to the minute and second, and explain before the public who he played golf with during the disappearance of Navy sailors and whether the golf fees were paid with special activity funds."

In a subsequent question-and-answer session, Joo raised his voice, saying, "This time, as we even obtained photographic evidence inside the golf course, they had no choice but to admit it with just 10 minutes left before the press conference. How severely did (the government and ruling party) criticize 'emperor golf' under the previous administration? It is double standards. Apologize on your knees before the public for this 'emperor golf' as well."

In response, Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Kye-won met with reporters at the National Assembly, prefacing by saying, "It seems the party does not have a set position (on this matter) yet," and then added, "Did not the president say that there would be a need to play (golf) for diplomatic matters with President Trump going forward? We ask for your understanding in that light."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.