Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
South Korea officials dispute lawmaker’s claim about Kim Hye-kyung’s golf outing
Lawmaker Joo Jin-woo alleged Kim Hye-kyung played golf with a professional golfer at Taereung Country Club on Oct.
20.
Joo, from the opposition People Power Party, said she received a costly lesson and that he had photos and video.
The Democratic Party disputed the allegation, saying civilians can book the golf course and demanding evidence.
Joo linked the outing to a fire in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong district that day, which he said caused 19 casualties.
The presidential office called the claim unverified and warned media outlets against reporting political allegations as fact without checking them.
The Democratic Party threatened legal action, while Joo said he would show video at a parliamentary audit.
South Korean lawmaker Joo Jin-woo alleged that President Lee Jae-myung’s wife, Kim Hye-kyung, played golf with a professional golfer on October 20.
Joo said the round took place at Taereung Country Club on the day a fire in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong caused 19 casualties.
He alleged that Kim received costly instruction and used a presidential club house, and said he had evidence and would show video at a parliamentary audit.
The Democratic Party rejected the claims as baseless, saying civilians can book the golf course and threatening legal action.
- Who
- Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jae-myung, is at the center of the allegation. Lawmaker Joo Jin-woo made the claim; Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Ju-hee rejected it.
- What
- Joo alleged Kim played golf with a professional golfer and received costly instruction. The Democratic Party called the claims baseless and said it would consider legal action.
- When
- The alleged golf round was on October 20. Joo made his claim on October 26.
- Where
- Taereung Country Club in Seoul, according to Joo.
- Why
- Joo questioned who paid for the alleged instruction and whether a military facility was used privately. The Democratic Party said civilians can book the course.
Joo Jin-woo
Democratic Party
Golf round and instruction
Joo Jin-woo
Joo alleged Kim played golf with a professional golfer and received costly instruction.
Democratic Party
The party called the “emperor golf” claims baseless and demanded evidence.
Use of the golf course
Joo Jin-woo
Joo called the alleged use of military facilities for private purposes a crime.
Democratic Party
Lee Ju-hee said civilians can book Taereung Country Club, so using it is not private use of a military facility.
Evidence and responsibility
Joo Jin-woo
Joo said he had video and evidence and would release the video at a parliamentary audit.
Democratic Party
The party said Joo must substantiate his claims and threatened legal action over what it called false statements.
Joo said Kim played golf at Taereung Country Club on the day a fire in Yeoksam-dong caused 19 casualties.
Joo alleged that Kim played golf with a professional golfer and said he would show video at a parliamentary audit.
Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Ju-hee rejected the claims and warned of possible legal action.
- Alleged golf date
- October 20
- Golf course named by Joo
- Taereung Country Club
- Fire mentioned by Joo
- Yeoksam-dong, Seoul
- Casualties cited by Joo
- 19
- Allegation made by
- Joo Jin-woo, People Power Party lawmaker
5 sources
What people are saying
I have secured video and evidence
That day, the Yeoksam-dong fire caused 19 casualties.
Stop the “emperor golf” fiction and provide evidence first
The burden of proving the allegations lies with the person who raised them.