Cheongwadae Says President Lee Ordered Prompt Response to Daegu Accident While at Golf Course

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

The rare preemptive disclosure of his golfing outing came after Representative Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party announced he would hold a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon alleging that "President Lee was playing golf at the time of the accident."

In a notice issued under the name of the spokesperson's office on October 11, Cheongwadae explained, "President Lee visited the Taereung Golf Course with his family the previous day," adding, "He was briefed on-site about the Daegu commercial building ceiling collapse accident."

Cheongwadae continued, "He subsequently spoke directly by 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 make all-out efforts for human rescue and ensure a prompt and safe resolution of the accident."

This is interpreted to mean that, as the nation's chief executive, there was no issue whatsoever in managing unexpected situations concerning public safety even from the golf course.

Cheongwadae appears to have taken a preemptive approach, unlike in the past, viewing attempts to link an accident with numerous injuries to President Lee's golf schedule as largely driven by intent to launch a political offensive.

Sentiments within Cheongwadae also suggest that criticizing golf practice is an excessive politicization, given that it serves as an extension of official presidential duties in light of the possibility that President Lee may play a round of golf with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Miami this coming December.

Internally, some within Cheongwadae have reportedly argued that legal action should not be ruled out if Representative Joo releases whistleblower photos or videos, citing potential legal violations.

The reasoning is that security personnel, vehicle formations, and equipment constitute classified information, and filming and releasing them could violate security duty regulations or infringe on portrait rights.

Cheongwadae stated, "While the principle is not to confirm the president's undisclosed schedules or private holiday itineraries, we made an exceptional disclosure to prevent unnecessary controversy over private holiday schedules," adding, "We express regret over exploiting the president's private, undisclosed schedule for political strife."

At his afternoon press conference at the National Assembly, Representative Joo Jin-woo said, "I received an important tip-off that President Lee played an emperor's round of golf at the Taereung Country Club on October 10 and opened and stayed at the presidential clubhouse. The president left Taereung CC at around 4:49 p.m.," adding, "I have secured photos and videos of security vehicles parked inside Taereung CC and will disclose all of them."

Joo continued, "While putting on a show on social media, does he secretly play an emperor's round of golf behind the public's back during a major disaster? Following the fire at the National Information Resources Service and the disappearance of Republic of Korea Navy sailors, this is already the third time," demanding, "The initial rescue operation for the Daegu accident was completed at 10:40 a.m., yet Cheongwadae's statement came a staggering two hours later at 12:30 p.m. Reveal how he responded to the collapse accident minute by minute and second by second on October 10, and explain before the public with whom he played golf when the Navy sailors went missing and whether special activity funds were used to pay for the golf."

During a subsequent Q&A session, Representative Joo raised his voice, saying, "This time, when evidence photos from inside the golf course were secured, they had no choice but to admit it just 10 minutes before the press conference," adding, "How harshly did the government and the ruling party criticize 'emperor's golf' during the previous administration? This is double standards. He should bow down and apologize to the public for this emperor's golf as well."

Regarding this, Cho Kye-won, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, "It seems the party has not yet established an official stance on the matter," before adding, "Hasn't it been noted that the president might need to play golf for future diplomatic matters with President Trump? We ask for your understanding in that context."

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