Lee's office says he directed Daegu rescue response from golf course

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's office confirmed on October 11 that he was playing golf when ceiling material collapsed in Daegu. It said he received updates at the course and immediately directed rescue efforts.

The collapse occurred on the second floor of a four-storey commercial building on the morning of October 10, injuring 38 people. Lee was visiting a golf club in northern Seoul with his family that day, the presidential office said.

According to the office, Lee spoke by telephone with acting National Police Agency chief Kim Jong-cheol, received detailed information about injuries and damage, and instructed relevant agencies to use all available resources to assist victims.

Opposition People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo demanded a minute-by-minute account of the president's response and an explanation of how the outing was funded. He also called for an apology and a special investigation. Those demands do not establish that rescue assistance was delayed.

The presidential office said it usually keeps private weekend activities undisclosed but made an exception to address the controversy. Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Gye-won backed its account, saying Lee had carried out his presidential duties.