President hits the links, rousing opposition scorn

Roh Moo-hyun found some leisure time yesterday, playing golf with the first lady, Kwon Yang-sook, Blue House secretaries and government officials.
The presidential team chose the Taereung Country Club in Nowon district, northeast Seoul. Unlike the small golf course at the former presidential summer retreat, the club has a full, 18-hole course. They teed off at 5:30 a.m. and played for five hours.
In addition to the presidential couple, the golfers included Kim Se-ok, chief Blue House bodyguard, Yoo Ihn-tae, the Blue House secretary for political affairs, Kwon Okyu, the secretary for policy planning, Lee Hae-sung, secretary for public information, Kim Hee-sang, secretary for national defense, Ban Ki-moon, presidential adviser for foreign policy, Cho Yoon-je, adviser for economic affairs and Kim Tae-yu, an aide for science and technology. From the cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister Kim Jin-pyo and Health and Welfare Minister Kim Hwa-joong were also included.
Mr. Roh birdied at the 17th hole, and the first lady at the 16th hole. He hit a 94 and the first lady a 96.
“Golf is a mainstream hobby in Korea,” said Mr. Lee, the chief press secretary. “He played to dispel the idea that the government was banning civil servants from playing golf, as in previous administrations.”
The opposition party however blasted Mr. Roh. “We wonder if the Blue House realizes the reason for the recent economic crisis is due to uncertainly over North Korea and the new administration’s policies,” said Song Tae-young, a spokesman for the opposition Grand National Party.

by Seo Seung-wook