Joo Jin-woo vows to file counter-complaint against President Lee, first lady over 'imperial golf' row

People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo said Wednesday he would personally visit the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday to file a criminal complaint against President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung.

Joo made the announcement on his Facebook page, saying the Democratic Party of Korea had filed a criminal complaint against him "to curry favor with Lee Jae Myung's power and cover up the imperial golf scandal." Joo said he would respond with a counter-complaint against the president and the first lady.

"The fact that Kim could not file the complaint herself and had to resort to a third-party complaint proves she did play golf," Joo said. "That will only deepen public anger over the 'imperial golf' affair." Joo added that the move appeared to be an attempt to muddy the waters ahead of a parliamentary audit of Cheong Wa Dae, saying it would not work on him.

Joo said he would pursue the truth through the complaint to the end, adding that the charges would cover abuse of power — including reservations made under assumed names — and allegations of embezzlement of public funds related to golf expenses.

Joo went on to say he would "hold those strictly accountable for trying to cover the public's eyes and ears without a single word of apology over the imperial golf affair." Joo also warned that as soon as the complaint filed against him was obtained, the contents would be made public and the Democratic Party lawmakers involved would face counter-complaints.