# Political controversy surrounding South Korean President Lee

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/political-controversy-surrounding-south-korean-president-lee
> Updated: 2026-10-16T00:26:35.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 3.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is facing significant political backlash regarding his public remarks and his response to national emergencies.

Initial criticism arose after President Lee shared social media posts praising the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon as an ‘idea man’ who emphasized communication. Opposition leaders, including Ahn Cheol-soo and Han Dong-hoon, accused the President of ‘secondary victimization’ by praising Park, who was identified as a perpetrator of power-based sexual violence.

Following these remarks, the President faced further condemnation regarding his leadership during a crisis in Daegu. On October 10, a ceiling collapse at a commercial building injured 38 people while the President was playing golf at Taereung Country Club. People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyuk accused Lee of prioritizing personal interests over national emergencies. Representative Joo Jin-woo criticized the President for ‘emperor golf’ and alleged a delayed response, noting that rescue operations were completed two hours before the Blue House issued accident management instructions. Joo has announced plans to introduce a ‘Golf Special Counsel Bill’ to investigate the President’s conduct.

The Blue House defended the President, stating he received real-time reports and directed rescue efforts by contacting the police chief. While expressing regret over the use of the President’s private schedule for political disputes, members of the Democratic Party, including Representative Park Ji-won, argued that leaders require rest and can maintain readiness while engaging in leisure.

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has since criticized the push for a special probe as ‘petty and mean,’ arguing that presidential golf activities should not be unnecessarily restricted, particularly at secure locations like Taereung Golf Course. Hong also warned of a potential collapse of the separation of powers, alleging the administration is attempting to consolidate legislative, executive, and judicial control.

## Claims

- The President received reports on the Daegu ceiling collapse while at the golf course and issued instructions to the police chief. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- A ceiling collapse in a Daegu commercial building injured 38 people on October 10. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Rep. Joo Jin-woo plans to propose a special counsel bill regarding the President's golf activities. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The rescue operation for the Daegu ceiling collapse was completed by 10:50 AM. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Police traffic control near the golf course caused delays for local residents. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Rep. Park Ji-won argued that golf is a popularized sport and the President requires rest. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Democratic Party claims the President was in a state of readiness to receive reports and issue orders while at the golf course. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: Hong Joon-pyo criticizes golf special probe and judicial control

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo criticized the proposed special prosecution into President Lee Jae-myung’s golf activities and warned of a threat to the separation of powers in South Korea.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hong-joon-pyo-criticizes-golf-special-probe-and-judicial-control

### 2026-10-11: President Lee Jae-myung faces golf controversy amid Daegu accident

South Korean opposition parties are demanding a special counsel investigation after President Lee Jae-myung played golf during a ceiling collapse in Daegu that injured 38 people.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-president-criticized-for-golfing-during-daegu-building-collapse

### 2026-10-10: South Korean President Lee faces backlash over Park Won-soon remarks

President Lee Jae-myung faces criticism for praising former Mayor Park Won-soon, which opponents call secondary victimization, and for prioritizing golf and social media over national crises.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ahn-cheol-soo-urges-stronger-response-after-north-korean-mine-found-in-incheon

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Cite as: Political controversy surrounding South Korean President Lee. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/political-controversy-surrounding-south-korean-president-lee