“Rounding and dinner with warrant officers and non-commissioned officers
It’s a security vacation… “Is this something to criticize?”
“What’s the problem” with using it while it’s closed?
In response to former President Roh’s statement, ‘Use it every week’
Hey, when I asked him, “Give me the evidence,” he said, “I’m sorry.”
Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun answers questions from lawmakers at the National Defense Committee plenary meeting on the 28th. 2024.11.28 Senior Reporter Park Min-gyu
The controversy is growing as it was further revealed that President Yoon Seok-yeol played golf at a military golf course that was closed during summer vacation last August. On the 28th, Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun acknowledged that a round of golf took place during President Yoon’s summer vacation, which the President’s Office described as a ‘security vacation’, but refuted the opposition by saying, “Is this something to be criticized?” and “Former President Roh Moo-hyun also exercised almost every week.” was criticized.
At the general meeting of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly on the 28th, Minister Kim said, “It is true that the President exercised at Gyeryong Guryongdae (golf course) on August 8-9 (while on summer vacation),” but added, “It is true that it was a security vacation.” Minister Kim said, “At the time, the President’s Office announced that ‘the President spent a security vacation to encourage soldiers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and check their security posture.’ However, (considering that he played golf) it was not a security vacation,” Choo Mi-ae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said. This is the answer to the question:
Minister Kim said, “When the President exercised on August 8th and 9th, he did not play golf with civilians or businessmen. He played rounds with field officers and non-commissioned officers, and even had an encouragement dinner after the round.” Minister Kim said, “One of the non-commissioned officers who attended the dinner had tears in his eyes as he said, ‘During the time I was playing rounds with the President, I felt like I won the lottery (playing golf).’” He added, “For the soldiers. “I’m doing this during my vacation. Is this something I should be criticized for now?” he asked. Minister Kim revealed that President Yoon played golf with three or four non-commissioned officers.
Since August 8, when President Yoon visited, was a closed day when the Guryongdae Golf Course is closed once every two months to maintain facilities and equipment, suspicions were raised that the President’s Office unilaterally allowed the golf course to open. Minister Kim said, “If the president goes, wouldn’t it cause a lot of trouble to the people exercising?” He added, “It happened to be a holiday on that day, so we thought we could exercise alone, so we exercised, so what’s the problem?”
During his explanation, Minister Kim mentioned the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, which drew protests from the opposition party. Minister Kim said, “President Roh Moo-hyun, didn’t you exercise almost every week?” and “When you exercised, didn’t you exclude the front and back teams and two or three teams? “We all have no choice but to do that because of safety issues,” he argued.
In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Seon-won countered, saying, “Please provide a basis for saying, ‘President Roh Moo-hyun played golf almost every week.’ I was in the Blue House for five years, and there was nothing like that.” Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byeong-ju said it was “defamation of character” and demanded a correction and apology for the statement. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Min-seok also demanded an apology from Minister Kim and asked whether he confirmed whether the claims were true, leading to a heated argument between the two sides. Minister Kim said, “I was speaking based on what a member of the committee said publicly,” and added, “If the expression was excessive, I am truly sorry about that.”
It was also pointed out that the government’s position on the golf controversy fluctuates. Earlier, when it became known through media reports that President Yoon played golf two days after his public address and press conference, the President’s Office said, “He resumed golf after eight years for the purpose of normal diplomacy with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (who likes golf).” ‘ he said. Democratic Party lawmaker Boo Seung-chan said, “The minister said on September 25, ‘I know that (the president) played golf 10 years ago. He pointed out, “I said, ‘I understand you didn’t play golf after becoming president,’ but now you said, ‘You played golf.’”
On this day, the ruling party launched a defense, saying, “President Yoon has never played golf during his workday,” (Rep. Yoo Yong-won).
**How have the arguments surrounding President Yoon’s golf outing shifted over time, and what specific events or statements have contributed to these changes in public discourse?** (This question focuses on the evolution of the controversy and the key factors influencing its trajectory)
**Expert Interview: Analyzing Controversies Surrounding Presidential Activities on Military Grounds**
*World Today News* had the opportunity to interview Dr. Soojeong Han, a political analyst specializing in South Korean governance and military affairs, regarding the recent controversy involving President Yoon Seok-yeol’s golf outing during a supposed security vacation. Dr. Han provided her insights on the implications of such actions, the political backlash, and the historical context in relation to previous administrations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Han. To start, could you summarize the key points surrounding President Yoon’s golf outing at the closed military golf course during his summer vacation?
**Dr. Han:** Certainly. The controversy began when it was revealed that President Yoon played golf at the Guryongdae Golf Course, which was officially closed for maintenance. While the government characterized this as part of a “security vacation,” it raised eyebrows when many saw it as a privilege granted to the president in a time when other citizens could not access the facilities. Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun has defended the outing, emphasizing that President Yoon was engaging with military personnel, or non-commissioned officers, during this time, and framed it as a morale-boosting activity.
**Interviewer:** The Minister referenced former President Roh Moo-hyun’s golf habits as a comparison. Do you think this comparison is valid or helpful in this context?
**Dr. Han:** This comparison is contentious. While it’s not uncommon for leaders to engage in recreational activities with military personnel, it’s essential to recognize the specifics of each situation. Roh Moo-hyun is remembered for being accessible to the military and often played golf; however, the context was different. The timing and circumstances matter significantly here—Roh’s outings did not raise similar questions about privilege during a period when military resources were supposedly unavailable. The backlash against Minister Kim’s comments shows how sensitive these comparisons can be, especially in a politically charged environment.
**Interviewer:** What impact do you think this incident may have on the public’s perception of President Yoon and his administration?
**Dr. Han:** This incident could exacerbate existing skepticism regarding the administration’s transparency and adherence to protocols. Given the context of military privilege versus civilian accessibility to resources, many citizens might view this as a double standard. Such perceptions could lead to increased political opposition and might damage President Yoon’s credibility, particularly if more evidence emerges suggesting a lack of transparency regarding his actions.
**Interviewer:** The Minister mentioned that a soldier felt fortunate to play golf with the president. How does this narrative play into the broader theme of leadership engagement with the military?
**Dr. Han:** The narrative of personal engagement can certainly humanize leaders and create positive goodwill among military ranks. It’s symbolic of leadership qualities such as approachability and support for the armed forces. However, the effectiveness of this narrative can be undermined if it appears to occur at the expense of fairness and protocol adherence. Leaders must balance personal engagement with the optics of privilege, especially in roles where public trust is vital.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how do you foresee this situation unfolding in the political arena? What should we be watching for?
**Dr. Han:** The political fallout could be significant. It’s likely that opposition parties will seize on this issue to question the ethics and decision-making of the Yoon administration. Resolutions or discussions in the National Assembly may become more contentious, with calls for accountability. Furthermore, how President Yoon responds—whether through apologies, explanations, or changing personnel—will likely shape public sentiment. Observers should also pay attention to the public’s reaction on social media and other platforms, as these sentiments can drive the national conversation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Han, for your insights on this matter. It’s clear that the intersection of politics, military engagement, and public perception is complex.
**Dr. Han:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to continue examining these issues as they unfold, as they reflect broader trends in governance and societal expectations in South Korea.
