South Korea's ruling Democratic Party said President Lee's recent golf practice was meant to prepare for "golf diplomacy" with U.S. President Donald Trump, KBS 뉴스 reported. The statement came after the Blue House confirmed that Lee visited Taereung Country Club the previous day, according to MBC 뉴스.
The Blue House said the President received a report on the Daegu collapse accident while at the golf course and issued instructions from the scene, KBS 뉴스 and other outlets reported. It described the outing as a private schedule and expressed regret that it had become the subject of political dispute, according to MBC 뉴스.
The controversy began after reports that a ceiling had collapsed at a commercial building in Daegu while the President was golfing, KBS 뉴스 reported. Critics questioned the timing of the outing; the Blue House maintained that Lee was briefed on the incident and directed the response, per 경향신문.
The Democratic Party's explanation that the practice was tied to preparations for engagement with Trump adds a diplomatic dimension to the dispute, KBS 뉴스 reported. The Blue House has not commented on that specific claim beyond its statement on the private nature of the schedule.
Watch for further statements from the Blue House and the party on the golf diplomacy preparations, and for any official readout of contacts with Washington.
