Park Jie-won sharply rebukes opposition criticism over ‘President Lee golfing during Daegu commercial-building ceiling collapse’: ‘The president is human, too’

[Financial News] Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Park Jie-won came to President Lee Jae-myung’s defense amid opposition criticism over his visit to a golf course on the day a commercial building’s ceiling collapsed in Daegu, saying, “The president is human, too.”
According to political circles on the 12th, Park said on social media the previous day, “If he knew about a major accident, he’d prepare for it—would he play golf?” He added, “The president is human, too. Even a workaholic needs rest, and if you run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you break down.”
He continued, “U.S. President Bush took a month-long vacation and enjoyed golf even during the Gulf War, and there’s no need to explain former President Trump’s love of golf. Golf has also become mainstream in South Korea. It’s only natural for a president to play golf with friends and relatives on a day off for relaxation, exercise, and so on,” he stressed.
He then delivered a sharp rebuke to People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo, who raised the allegations, saying, “Don’t pick a fight over the president even playing golf on a day off; look at the plank in your own eye.”
Earlier that same day, Rep. Joo held a press conference, saying, “I received a tip that President Lee played golf at Taereung Country Club,” and released related photos and videos. The allegation is that President Lee was playing golf on the morning of the previous day, when part of the ceiling finish in a commercial building in Buk-gu, Daegu, collapsed, injuring 38 people.
The Blue House said in a notice, “The president was briefed at the scene about the ceiling-collapse accident at a commercial building in Daegu,” adding, “We regret that the president’s private, undisclosed schedule is being used for political wrangling.”

[email protected] Sung Min-seo Reporter