Kim Hye-kyung Golf Lesson Allegations and Political Clash
South Korean First Lady Kim Hye-kyung received an expensive golf lesson from world-renowned professional golfer Lydia Ko, according to People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo.
Lawmaker Joo stated during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s comprehensive audit that Kim played a three-person round at Ta릉 CC (Taereung Country Club) accompanied by a male companion and a female professional golfer he identified as Lydia Ko, as reported by weekly.khan.co.kr. Joo asserted that the session involved a private field lesson from a global sports star that would cost tens of millions of won, demanding that the presidential office disclose who covered the expenses.
The opposition politician also questioned the timing of the outing, noting that it coincided with a major fire in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong district that injured 19 people, as well as the funeral of Fire Inspector Kim Jin-seok, who died while battling a factory blaze in Bucheon. Video footage shared by Joo shows several individuals practicing putts and reviewing stances on the green.
Lydia Ko Legal Warning and Democratic Party Response
Lydia Ko issued a sharp rebuttal through a public statement, rejecting any connection to the alleged event. Ko warned that she would take strict legal action against the spread of unverified information and malicious posts or comments damaging her reputation.
The Democratic Party defended the administration by challenging the core premise of the opposition’s claims. Party floor spokesperson Lee Joo-hee pointed out that Taereung Country Club operates as a facility open to public reservations, rejecting the assertion that the presidential entourage misused restricted military infrastructure. The ruling party also stated that Joo provided no evidence of high-cost private lessons or exclusive use of a presidential clubhouse, announcing plans to file a formal complaint against the lawmaker for spreading false information.
Presidential Office Warning and Ongoing Disputes
The Public Communications Office of the presidential residence criticized reporting practices that amplify unverified political claims without fact-checking, warning of legal accountability for the dissemination of falsehoods. The presidential office did not issue an explicit confirmation or denial regarding whether Kim visited Taereung Country Club on Oct. 20.
A chronological discrepancy surrounds the timing of the political dispute. While lawmaker Joo highlighted the coincidence with the Yeoksam-dong fires—which were reported starting at 11:54 a.m. on Oct. 20—his own video evidence places the golf course recording at 11:05 a.m., roughly 49 minutes before the initial emergency call. That timeline leaves the exact sequence of events and the administration’s awareness of the unfolding emergency subject to separate verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the alleged golf outing take place?
Lawmaker Joo Jin-woo stated that the round occurred on the morning of Oct. 20, 2024, placing the video recording time at approximately 11:05 a.m., according to weekly.khan.co.kr.
What specific legal actions have been announced in response to the allegations?
Professional golfer Lydia Ko stated she will take legal action against the spread of unverified claims, while the Democratic Party announced plans to file a complaint against lawmaker Joo for defamation and spreading false information, as reported by weekly.khan.co.kr.
Did the presidential office confirm the golf visit?
The presidential Public Communications Office issued a warning against spreading falsehoods and criticized unverified reporting, but it did not explicitly answer whether First Lady Kim Hye-kyung played golf at Taereung Country Club that day, according to weekly.khan.co.kr.
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