Joo Jin-woo proposes 'Lee Jae-myung Imperial Golf Special Counsel Bill' to investigate golf allegations during national disasters

[Financial News] Joo Jin-woo, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on the 13th that he would introduce as lead sponsor the so-called 'Lee Jae-myung Imperial Golf Special Counsel Bill' to investigate President Lee's use of golf courses during national disasters and allegations of preferential treatment for the presidential family.
At a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center that day, Rep. Joo said, “At every national tragedy, the variety-show mukbangs, imperial golf and disregard for the public have gone too far,” adding, “I am introducing the special counsel bill as lead sponsor to treat President Lee’s golf addiction and protect the budget.”
He claimed that President Lee was golfing during the Daegu ceiling-collapse accident on the 10th and ordered rescuers to rescue someone whose rescue operation had already concluded. He also raised allegations that President Lee stayed at a golf course for nine hours when a Navy serviceman went missing on July 12.
Rep. Joo demanded that President Lee “disclose, minute by minute and second by second, what he did as commander-in-chief during the critical window for the search.”
He named as the special counsel bill’s first investigative target whether the president used golf courses during national disasters and any resulting allegations of dereliction of duty. Rep. Joo emphasized, “The Democratic Party of Korea introduced special counsel bills several times in the case of the Marine who died in the line of duty and even carried out a special counsel investigation,” adding, “There should be no distinction between the unjust deaths of service members.”
The investigation would also cover whether the president’s family used golf courses and received preferential treatment. It should determine whether they received special treatment compared with ordinary patrons and whether they received any privileges when using the golf course’s facilities.
He also raised the possibility that the president’s special activity funds were used to pay for golf. Rep. Joo said, “The Blue House replied on the 10th that President Lee paid for the golf out of his own pocket,” and urged, “If the clubhouse and golf fees were paid by credit card, the transaction records should be disclosed; if cash was used, its source should be made clear.”
He also said it should be investigated whether the president’s children accompanied him golfing, whether they lived at the presidential residence, and whether residential space was created for them or budget funds were diverted during the relocation of the Blue House.
Rep. Joo pressed the party, saying, “The Democratic Party of Korea has already conducted a special counsel investigation into the relocation of the presidential residence, so it should have no reason to oppose this.” He added, “If President Lee has nothing to hide, the Democratic Party of Korea should proudly say it supports the ‘Lee Jae-myung Imperial Golf Special Counsel Bill.’”

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter