Yongsan: “It would be rude if you can’t play golf when Trump asks you to”… “Se-Ri Pak gave great power to the people during the IMF”

The President’s Office responded to President Yoon Seok-yeol’s ‘golf controversy’ by saying, “The President’s sports activities, whether tennis or golf, have more meaning than the ordinary meaning,” and that President Yoon’s golf was an exercise in ‘golf diplomacy’ with U.S. President-elect Trump. I repeated my position.

Hong Cheol-ho, Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs, attended the general meeting of the National Assembly Steering Committee on the afternoon of the 19th and said, “When President Trump invited our President to play a round with him, (President Yoon) cannot play golf at all, but he could not agree to a round with him. “Isn’t that the case in golf?” he said.

Chief Hong continued, “In my experience, golf is not something that can be accomplished by practicing once or twice for a day or two,” and “So, I think the President’s weekend golf was probably in his mind in advance (to prepare for golf diplomacy).” did it

The President’s Office confirmed through the media that President Yoon had played golf at the Taereung Fitness Center (Taereung CC) on the 9th immediately after his address to the public, and as controversy over its appropriateness was expected, the President’s Office said, “He has resumed practice for golf diplomacy with President-elect Trump.” An explanation to the effect was preemptively sent out.

However, through a tip received by Rep. Kim Byeong-ju of the Democratic Party of Korea, it was further confirmed that ‘President Yoon played golf at least seven times from August 24th to the 9th of this month.’ Controversy over the ‘false explanation’ arose because golf began even before President-elect Trump’s US presidential election, but Chief Hong’s remarks on this day meant that he had prepared for golf diplomacy “in advance” regardless of President-elect Trump’s election.

In response to Chief Hong’s explanation, Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Yoo-jeong criticized the timing and appropriateness, saying, “Six of the seven confirmed rounds were before Trump’s declaration of election,” and “The rounds were held even during the golf ban for military personnel, such as during the ROK-U.S. joint military training period.” He also made a point.

In response, Chief Hong responded, “It is a bit difficult to tell about the President’s official schedule, especially the weekend schedule,” and “It is a difficult question to even ask why (the President played golf) when (the schedule) has not been confirmed.” avoided. The answer is to the effect that President Yoon’s exact golf schedule cannot be confirmed, and therefore its appropriateness cannot be questioned.

When Rep. Kang pointed out that August 24th, which was selected as the president’s rounding schedule, was a memorial period due to the Bucheon Hotel fire on the 22nd of that month, Chief Hong said, “I understand that President Roh Moo-hyun used the Taereung Golf Course quite a lot,” and added, “But we He counterattacked, saying, “I’ve never said anything like this before.”

When Representative Kang asked again, “Do you think it is right to play golf during the fire memorial period?” he responded, “Even if the President played golf (that day), I cannot confirm, but it may be a subject of curiosity, but it is not right to say that it is a target of criticism.” (It is difficult to agree)” he said. It is interpreted that it is impossible to officially confirm whether golf was played that day, and therefore it is not possible to judge whether it is appropriate.

In another question that followed that day, Chief Hong said, “Whether it is the President’s golf or tennis, diplomacy through such sports is also essential at some point,” and “From our perspective, the President’s sports are more than sports,” and “The President’s golf is a leisure activity for the general public.” “It may have a completely different character from golf, which is only played in .”

People Power Party lawmakers also stepped in to provide cover. Rep. Jeong Seong-guk said, “Currently, 10 million of our people are playing golf, and I don’t think playing golf itself is an act that should be shamed.” “Golf has become very popular now, and there is no reason for it to be a big controversy that the president played golf once.” Deputy Director of Security Kim Seong-hoon responded, “That’s right. There are 14 Korean female players in the top 100 in the LPGA and 4 in the PGA.”

Meanwhile, when Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Jong-gun pointed out that President Yoon was unable to answer what he was apologizing for during the press conference on the 7th, Chief Hong said, “The reporter was rude to the President,” and added, “The President He also said, “I apologized, but I need to correct my attitude of saying ‘I did something wrong’ like a parent would to a child.”