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

This preemptive disclosure 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 released under the name of 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 ceiling collapse at a commercial building in Daegu."

The office continued, "Afterward, he spoke directly on the phone with Acting National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Jong-chul to receive detailed reports on casualties, whether there were fatalities, and the extent of injuries. He then instructed relevant authorities to commit all resources to search and rescue efforts and make every effort to manage the aftermath swiftly and safely."

This is interpreted as an assertion that, even at a golf course, there was no hindrance to his duty as the top official of state affairs in addressing unexpected situations concerning public safety.

The Blue House's preemptive response, which departs from its usual practice, is seen as reflecting its view that linking an accident with numerous injuries to President Lee's golf outing was clearly intended for a political offensive.

Given the possibility that President Lee could play a round of golf with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Miami this December, some inside the Blue House also view golf practice as an extension of presidential duties, regarding the criticism as excessive political partisan strife.

Internally within the Blue House, opinions have reportedly emerged that legal action should not be ruled out if Rep. Joo releases informant photos or videos, arguing that doing so could be unlawful.

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

The Blue House stated, "While the general principle is not to confirm the president's private or unannounced holiday schedules, this unusual disclosure was made to prevent unnecessary controversy over private holiday plans," adding, "We express regret over using the president's private, undisclosed schedule for political attacks."

During his afternoon press conference at the National Assembly, Rep. Joo Jin-woo said, "I received a critical tip: President Lee played an emperor-style luxury golf outing at Taereung Country Club on October 10 and stayed there after opening the presidential-only clubhouse. He 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 make all of them public."

He went on to ask, "Does he only put on a show on social media while secretly enjoying luxury golf outings behind the public's back during major disasters? Following the government resources fire and the disappearance of Republic of Korea Navy sailors, this is already the third time." He demanded, "The initial rescue operation for the Daegu accident was completed at 10:40 a.m., yet the Blue House's statement came out at 12:30 p.m., nearly two hours later. The administration must disclose minute by minute and second by second how it responded to the collapse on October 10, and explain to the public who the president played golf with during the naval personnel disappearance and whether the golf fees were paid with special activity funds."

In the subsequent Q&A session, Joo raised his voice, saying, "Only when we secured photographic evidence from inside the golf course did they have no choice but to admit it just 10 minutes before the press conference. How harshly did the current government and ruling party criticize 'emperor golf' during the previous administration? This is pure hypocrisy. The president must kneel and apologize to the people for this luxury golf outing as well."

In response, Cho Gye-won, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party, met with reporters at the National Assembly and prefaced, "It seems the party has not yet established an official stance [on the matter]." He added, "Hasn't the president mentioned that it might be necessary to meet [on a golf course] for future diplomatic matters with President Trump? Please understand it from that perspective."

(Photo: Yonhap News)