Amid Kim Hye-kyung Golf Controversy, Lim Gwanghyun: "Apologize First for False Claims"

At Audit, Opposition Presses, "Did She Actually Play Golf?" ... Lim Avoids Direct Answer
Military Golf Course Access Sparks Favoritism Row; Joo Jin-woo Files Complaint Against Presidential Couple

Allegations that Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jae-myung, received so-called “imperial golf” treatment resurfaced on Oct. 29 during a National Assembly Steering Committee audit of the Presidential Office. Chief of Staff to the President Lim Gwanghyun rejected as false claims that she played alongside a famous professional golfer and received expensive lessons, and demanded an apology from the opposition. However, he did not directly answer whether Kim had actually played golf, and questions continued over how she came to use a military golf course and whether she received preferential treatment.

Chief of Staff Lim Gwang-hyun takes an oath during a parliamentary audit of the Presidential Office, the National Security Office and the Presidential Security Service, held by the National Assembly's House Steering Committee on Oct. 29, 2026.

At the National Assembly Steering Committee’s audit of the Presidential Office, the National Security Office and the Presidential Security Service that day, Lim responded to a question from Yoon Yong-geun of the People Power Party, who raised allegations about Kim’s golf, saying, “The crux of this matter is the false claim that the First Lady played ‘imperial golf’ with world-class golfer Lydia Ko, even though they did not play together, or received lessons worth tens of millions of won, which she never took.”

He added, “An apology must come first for telling the public falsehoods about ‘imperial golf,’ ‘imperial lessons’ and Lydia Ko, who did not even play with her.”

Yoon followed up by asking, “Did Kim Hye-kyung play golf at Taereung Country Club that day?” Instead of clarifying whether she had played a round, however, Lim repeated that an apology for the false claims should come first.

When a ruling-party lawmaker asked whether Kim received preferential treatment while dining or playing golf, Lim replied, “I understand that there was none.” He added, “I deeply regret that unverified false claims about the schedules of the President and his wife are misleading the public.”

The controversy erupted on Oct. 26, when Yoon Jin-woo of the People Power Party alleged that Kim had played golf on the morning of Oct. 20 at Taereung Country Club, a military fitness facility, with professional golfer Lydia Ko and others. Yoon released video footage and photos, raising questions about the possibility that Kim had received expensive lessons from a professional golfer, used the presidential couple’s exclusive clubhouse and received preferential treatment in booking the course.

However, Lydia Ko, identified as one of Kim’s playing partners, denied the allegations, saying she had attended an official event hosted by a sponsor at the time. Controversy also intensified after it emerged that a photo of Ko playing golf had been included in the video released by Yoon and later removed. The Democratic Party criticized the allegations as baseless falsehoods.

The controversy has expanded beyond whether Kim played golf to the propriety of her use of a military facility. The Democratic Party has said that civilians can also use Taereung Country Club, while the People Power Party has raised the possibility of preferential treatment in the booking process, noting that ordinary members of the public cannot make reservations directly as private individuals.

Choi Su-jin of the People Power Party said that, according to documents she received that day from the Armed Forces Welfare Agency and other organizations, ordinary civilians cannot book Taereung Country Club online and can use it only when accompanied by a member or through a separately approved organization. As a result, the identity of the actual person who made the reservation, eligibility to use the facility and responsibility for covering the costs have emerged as matters requiring further investigation.

The dispute between the ruling and opposition parties has also escalated into criminal complaints. On Oct. 28, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with police against Yoon on suspicion of spreading false information and other offenses. In response, Yoon filed a countercomplaint that day with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against President Lee and Kim on suspicion of abuse of authority, embezzlement and other offenses.

Yoon argued that it should be confirmed whether the presidential couple received preferential treatment when using the golf course and whether the costs were handled appropriately. He also raised additional allegations that there have been 25 suspected cases of preferential treatment at military golf courses since 2025.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.