View of Taereung Golf Course [KBS News Capture] 

On the morning of Sunday, July 12, a tragic incident occurred where a Republic of Korea Navy soldier went missing during training on the east coast. Unfortunately, his body was discovered approximately 20 hours later.

Jang Dong-hyeok, representative of the People Power Party, questioned the situation that day, stating, "We have received reports that President Lee Jae-myung played a round of golf at Taereung Golf Course with Minister of National Defense An Gyu-back," and asked, "Do you even care about the lives of the people?"

Why can't the Presidential Office disclose the timetable?

He further demanded, "The Presidential Office must disclose the timetable, entry records for the Taereung Golf Course, and CCTV footage by the second since the missing soldier incident occurred." The Presidential Office stated that it could not release such information as it is classified, while the Ministry of National Defense denied that any golf had been played.

The public remains skeptical of the statements made by the Presidential Office and the Ministry of National Defense. Given Lee Jae-myung’s known penchant for being active on social media, some argue that if he truly had not played golf, he would have immediately taken legal action against Representative Jang Dong-hyeok. However, Lee Jae-myung remains silent, and the Minister of National Defense continues to state his position only through the spokesperson's office.

In a situation where the nation faces a mountain of critical issues—such as controversies over rigged elections, soaring real estate prices, falling stock markets, and the relocation of semiconductors in the Honam region—the public wishes for the President, as Commander-in-Chief, and the Minister of National Defense to personally explain the allegations regarding their golf outing.

What kind of appeal does golf have that would lead a Commander-in-Chief to neglect his national duties?

Personally, I experience no withdrawal symptoms even when I stop playing golf. However, looking at those around me, it seems there is a powerful allure that, once caught in its spell, causes people to prioritize it over everything else. This can be clearly seen in the love for golf shown by U.S. President Donald Trump, who is nearing 80.

President Park Chung-hee, who valued golf as a diplomatic tool

President Park Chung-hee also loved golf.

President Park viewed golf not merely as entertainment, but as an activity linked to diplomacy, international sense, physical training, and the dignity of a leader. After seeing foreign officers and diplomats enjoying golf during his overseas trips, he emphasized that "it would be a national disgrace if our future talents entering the international stage did not know how to play golf," and insisted that golf education was necessary for Korea Military Academy cadets. Subsequently, in 1966, President Park ordered the construction of the Taereung Golf Course.

President Park practiced diligently, even building a makeshift practice range at his Jangchung-dong official residence. His love for the game is so well-known that a marker stone named 'Park's Zone' still remains at the landing spot on the right side of the 2nd hole of the Hwarang Course at Taereung Golf Course. It is said that his drive had a slice trajectory, and his skill level was around that of a 'bogey golfer' in the low 90s.

There are many other anecdotes regarding President Park Chung-hee and golf.

An aide once remarked, "Whenever the President reached the green, he would often putt only once and finish. It seemed he thought it was unbecoming of a head of state to be constantly hunched over while putting."

However, his mind was so occupied with national affairs that he would continue to check on the state of the country even while playing golf. It is said that after every hole, he would ask Park Jong-kyu, the then-Chief of the Presidential Security Service, "Is everything alright with the country?"

President Park, who enjoyed walking on the green grass, would reportedly carry his own golf clubs over his shoulder like a soldier with a rifle on uphill holes, saying, "It's too hard for the caddie."

He also ordered security personnel to maintain the standard interval with the team in front to avoid inconveniencing other golfers, and only to leave a gap of about one team for the group behind. Although he primarily used the Taereung Golf Course, which was advantageous for security, he would occasionally visit Hanyang CC or New Korea CC on public holidays out of consideration for active-duty soldiers.

Lee Jae-myung, who canceled 12 teams of golfers for security

It is known that Lee Jae-myung is also so addicted to golf that he could not even remember his playing partner in Australia. Several other stories regarding him are currently being circulated.

One person remarked, "I thought his golf would be hampered by the arm injury he suffered as a teenage worker, but in reality, it is not at all. Although he plays at a '100-stroke' level, his skills have improved significantly since he started. Watching him use a driver mulligan five times without even asking the caddie for permission, his arm seems to be perfectly fine."

Another person said, "When he tees off at 11:30 AM, the best time on weekends, reservations for 12 teams—six ahead and six behind—are canceled due to security, leading to significant complaints from members. People say this is a much larger scale than in President Park Chung-hee’s era and four times more than during President Roh Moo-hyun's time, when only a two-team gap was maintained."

Regarding Kim Hye-kyung, there are also those who say, "Because the First Lady is allegedly shy, the golf course staff feel immense pressure, such as being forced to assign only the most experienced caddies when she uses Taereung or Namsuwon Golf Courses, which has led to many complaints among the staff."

There is also talk about Yoo Seon-jong, the president of Taereung Golf Course, whose appointment was controversial from the start.

"While past presidents were mostly retired major generals from the Korea Military Academy, President Yoo is a retired major from the academic officer track. After being discharged, he worked his way up to a department head at Taereung Golf Course before retiring at the end of 2024. He was re-appointed as president just six months after Minister An Gyu-back took office, which shocked the staff so much that they joked that Jesus had been resurrected. I hear they even scramble to prepare, like pulling weeds the day before the President's visit."

The reality is that Taereung Golf Course staff are voicing complaints, reaching from the president of the facility up to the President of the country. This is likely due to concerns that their livelihoods could be affected if the relocation of the Korea Military Academy or the integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies proceeds.

Lee Jae-myung's 7-hour movements must be disclosed

Whether this recent death of a Navy soldier in the East Sea—which reminds us of the murder of the civil servant in the West Sea—was a simple accident or had other underlying factors, is a task that must be clarified in the future.

Ten years ago, Lee Jae-myung, then the Mayor of Seongnam, demanded that President Park Geun-hye disclose her '7-hour movements' by the hour and minute during the Sewol Ferry tragedy. Now that he is President, the public is waiting to see how he will respond to the national demand to disclose his own 7-hour movements from 8:00 AM, the time of the accident, until the suspected golf round ended—including the issue of the company of Kim Hyun-ji and Kim Hye-kyung.

In any case, seeing innocent young people meet with unfortunate accidents lately hits close to home. If I feel this way, I cannot even begin to imagine how their parents must feel.

◆ Jeong Seong-hong

Chairman, Korea-U.S. Daily
Former Executive, National Intelligence Service