Cheong Wa Dae stated its position today (October 26) regarding reports citing People Power Party Representative Joo Jin-woo's claim that First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of President Lee Jae-myung, played golf with a famous professional golfer on the day of a fire in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul, calling it "citing claims not grounded in facts" and urging caution in news reporting.

Cheong Wa Dae made the statement on this day by releasing a notice issued under the Office of the Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Relations and Communication titled, "Regarding Reports Citing Unilateral and Groundless Claims by People Power Party Representative Joo Jin-woo."

Cheong Wa Dae pointed out, "'Quotation journalism' that merely dictates politicians' unilateral claims that are not based on facts without the minimum verification is an act of abandoning the media's responsibility to verify."

It further emphasized, "The practice of 'quotation journalism' does not grant immunity from reporting false information," adding, "Corresponding responsibility lies not only with the politician who raised the allegation, but also with the media that spread it without verification."

Cheong Wa Dae also requested, "We will hold parties strictly accountable for acts of reporting unverified claims as if they were true or spreading false information," and urged, "Please exercise caution in reporting."

Earlier that day, Rep. Joo claimed on Facebook that First Lady Kim had a golf round accompanied by a world-class professional golfer on October 20, when the fire occurred in Yeoksam-dong, releasing some photos and announcing that he would also disclose video footage during the parliamentary audit.

In response, the Democratic Party of Korea countered by calling it "an absurd piece of fiction," and struck back by saying, "Publishing unverified allegations as if they were facts to defame someone's reputation is indeed a crime," vowing to take legal action.

(Photo: Yonhap News)