South Korean President criticized for golfing during Daegu building collapse

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is facing intense political criticism following reports that he was playing golf with his family at Taereung Country Club on the same day a ceiling collapse in Daegu injured 38 people.

Opposition lawmaker Joo Jin-woo raised allegations of ‘emperor golf,’ demanding a minute-by-minute account of the President’s response to the disaster. In a preemptive move, the Blue House confirmed the President’s visit to the golf course but stated that he received reports regarding the Daegu accident while on-site. The Blue House noted that the President spoke with the acting Commissioner General of the National Police Agency to direct emergency services to prioritize life-saving efforts and rapid recovery.

The Blue House expressed regret over the use of the President’s private schedule for political disputes. However, People Power Party lawmaker Choi Eun-seok criticized the administration’s response as ‘shameless,’ arguing that the President’s private leisure activities coincided with a period when citizens were suffering and police were reportedly implementing traffic controls near the golf course to facilitate the President’s movement.