Joo Jin-woo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, called on Special Inspector Choi Gil-soo on October 27 to investigate allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Hye-kyung's golf lessons.
During a press conference at the National Assembly, Joo stated, "I will submit the organized materials to the special inspector and urge an investigation." He claimed that Kim played golf on October 10 and scheduled another round for October 20, asserting, "The public did not delegate power for her to play royal golf, receive lessons, and make easy reservations." He noted that an analysis of Taereung CC's reservation records revealed a pattern of repeated bookings that left the first time slot on weekends and subsequent slots open for three to four teams.
Joo questioned, "Is it possible for anyone other than the president to make four consecutive reservations at Taereung CC on weekends? This type of booking has occurred 25 times. There were also similar reservations for three days during the last holiday."
He emphasized, "I have specified the dates. If the special inspector is diligent, they can verify who made the reservations, what payment method was used, and who made the payments in just 20 minutes. The National Assembly's operation committee still has a session on the presidential office's audit. If they are confident, I hope they will disclose the relevant materials."
Joo expressed suspicion that Kim's golf and lesson expenses may have been paid with the presidential office's special activity funds. He insisted that the payment method, whether by credit card or cash, and the source of any cash should be clarified, stating, "If my allegations are incorrect, I welcome a complaint against me. A proper investigation can confirm the facts."
People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also urged during a national audit strategy meeting that the special inspector must thoroughly investigate any allegations regarding Kim's royal golf controversy.
In response, the Democratic Party pointed out that professional golfer Lydia Ko, whom Joo identified as a companion, had other commitments on the dates in question, labeling his claims as 'fabricated.' Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Joo-hee criticized Joo during a briefing, stating, "He has attached a stigma of wrongdoing to normal facility use, and even if it is proven false, he adopts an 'if not, then whatever' attitude."
Another spokesperson, Jeon Eun-soo, added during a press conference that if an investigation is necessary, it should target Joo himself for spreading false claims. She stated, "Using legislative immunity as a shield to recklessly drag innocent people's names into this is not legislative activity but smear politics. We will hold him accountable for spreading false information."
Meanwhile, Joo defended himself, stating, "This matter is not about criticizing a specific golfer," and accused the Democratic Party of attempting to divert attention by suggesting that the tip-off video contains errors.
During a press conference at the National Assembly, Joo stated, "I will submit the organized materials to the special inspector and urge an investigation." He claimed that Kim played golf on October 10 and scheduled another round for October 20, asserting, "The public did not delegate power for her to play royal golf, receive lessons, and make easy reservations." He noted that an analysis of Taereung CC's reservation records revealed a pattern of repeated bookings that left the first time slot on weekends and subsequent slots open for three to four teams.
Joo questioned, "Is it possible for anyone other than the president to make four consecutive reservations at Taereung CC on weekends? This type of booking has occurred 25 times. There were also similar reservations for three days during the last holiday."
He emphasized, "I have specified the dates. If the special inspector is diligent, they can verify who made the reservations, what payment method was used, and who made the payments in just 20 minutes. The National Assembly's operation committee still has a session on the presidential office's audit. If they are confident, I hope they will disclose the relevant materials."
Joo expressed suspicion that Kim's golf and lesson expenses may have been paid with the presidential office's special activity funds. He insisted that the payment method, whether by credit card or cash, and the source of any cash should be clarified, stating, "If my allegations are incorrect, I welcome a complaint against me. A proper investigation can confirm the facts."
People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also urged during a national audit strategy meeting that the special inspector must thoroughly investigate any allegations regarding Kim's royal golf controversy.
In response, the Democratic Party pointed out that professional golfer Lydia Ko, whom Joo identified as a companion, had other commitments on the dates in question, labeling his claims as 'fabricated.' Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Joo-hee criticized Joo during a briefing, stating, "He has attached a stigma of wrongdoing to normal facility use, and even if it is proven false, he adopts an 'if not, then whatever' attitude."
Another spokesperson, Jeon Eun-soo, added during a press conference that if an investigation is necessary, it should target Joo himself for spreading false claims. She stated, "Using legislative immunity as a shield to recklessly drag innocent people's names into this is not legislative activity but smear politics. We will hold him accountable for spreading false information."
Meanwhile, Joo defended himself, stating, "This matter is not about criticizing a specific golfer," and accused the Democratic Party of attempting to divert attention by suggesting that the tip-off video contains errors.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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