Hong Jun-pyo Officially Apologizes for 'Flood Golf'... "Sorry for Not Considering Public Sentiment"

Apology After Internal and External Criticism
"Humbly Accepting Inappropriate Remarks Amid Nationwide Flood Concerns"

Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, officially apologized regarding the golf controversy that arose last weekend amid concentrated damage caused by heavy rain. This came four days after the controversy erupted.

On the 19th, Mayor Hong held a press conference at the Dongin Office of Daegu City Hall and stated, "I humbly accept the criticism that it was inappropriate in a situation where nationwide flood damage was a concern."

Mayor Hong's official apology was announced immediately after the Ethics Committee of the People Power Party's central party declared it would begin disciplinary procedures. The Ethics Committee announced the previous afternoon that it would decide on the initiation of disciplinary procedures related to Mayor Hong's golf controversy on the 20th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 17th, after meeting with Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok at the National Assembly, Mayor Hong responded to reporters' questions asking, "What do you think about the criticism that weekend golf was inappropriate conduct?" by saying, "It was not inappropriate."

He continued, "There was no situation in Daegu City itself that required real-time reporting. During the time I was playing golf, there was nothing reported to me by the Chief Secretary," and added, "Just because they unnecessarily nitpicked and swarmed like hornets, I am not someone who would be intimidated and say 'I was wrong.'" He defended himself.

Mayor Hong also posted on his social media, stating, "When a heavy rain warning is issued, the head of the organization only needs to oversee the work; it is not necessary to work normally or stay at home on standby," and "I am overseeing work the same way even on weekends." He argued, "At that time, it was only Emergency Level 2. When Emergency Level 2 is declared, as long as you do not leave the designated area, it does not matter what you do," and "Using golf to borrow the public sentiment law to criticize is unavoidable, but still relying on public sentiment law for politics is somewhat inappropriate."

However, criticism arose both inside and outside the party that going to the golf course during a time when flood damage was expected was inappropriate in itself.

Kim Byung-min, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said on CBS Radio that day, "According to our party's ethics code, gambling, entertainment, golf, etc., are prohibited when the nation is mourning due to natural disasters or when the people and the country need to unite," and added, "Mayor Hong's flood golf is controversial, but his subsequent responses and explanations seem quite distant from the public's expectations. The party's Ethics Committee will comprehensively judge these matters and make a decision."

Choi Min-seok, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party, criticized, "Mayor Hong Joon-pyo's shamelessness in enjoying golf amid nationwide heavy rain and landslide damage is hard to watch with open eyes," and said, "While 1,000 Daegu city officials were engaged in emergency duty in a critical situation, Mayor Hong leisurely observed the trajectory of golf balls." He also criticized Mayor Hong's recent scolding of MZ generation officials during a meeting, saying, "Where are the officials who take all the breaks?" and "If so, retire," and added, "Now Mayor Hong changes his words within days, insisting that 'except for the president, weekends are free if emergency duty is excluded,' and said, 'If you want to enjoy weekends freely, retire as you said.'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the press conference that day, Mayor Hong also explained the circumstances in detail. He said, "On the morning of the 15th, it did not rain in the Daegu area," and "At that time, Daegu City was operating under Emergency Level 2 according to the comprehensive summer natural disaster countermeasures, with the Deputy Mayor overseeing and managing the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters."

He continued, "After attending the opening ceremony of the Sincheon outdoor water playground at 10 a.m., I played golf for about an hour starting from 11:30 a.m.," and "It started raining in the middle, so I stopped and returned."

Mayor Hong said, "It was a weekend schedule and did not violate the disaster response manual," but also expressed regret, saying, "I am sorry for not sufficiently considering public sentiment while explaining the situation based on principles and facts."

He emphasized, "I apologize once again for causing concern to the people and party members who were hurt by the flood damage."

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