Son of President Lee files defamation complaint over 'imperial golf' allegations

A defamation complaint filed by Lee Dong-ho, the eldest son of President Lee Jae-myung, against People Power Party lawmaker Ju Jin-woo has been assigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Metropolitan Investigation Unit. Ju had alleged that the president's family played golf at a naval base course and traveled by helicopter during a summer vacation last year.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency confirmed Friday that it had assigned the defamation complaint filed by Lee Dong-ho against lawmaker Ju to the Metropolitan Investigation Unit.

Earlier, Ju held a press conference at the National Assembly press center on Oct. 29, alleging that President Lee had played golf with Lee Dong-ho and his spouse at Hansandae Country Club inside the Jinhae Naval Base in South Gyeongsang Province during a summer vacation in August last year, and that the group had then traveled by helicopter to a presidential retreat on Jeodo Island.

Ju also released what he claimed was a photograph of a helicopter on standby at Hansandae CC at the time. Ju subsequently filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against President Lee and the first lady on charges including abuse of authority and embezzlement. That complaint is also under investigation by the Metropolitan Investigation Unit.

In response, Lee Dong-ho filed a defamation complaint against Ju with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday. The complaint is said to include a statement to the effect that Lee Dong-ho did not visit Hansandae CC during the summer vacation and did not play golf there.

The Metropolitan Investigation Unit is expected to review the complaint and proceed with a related investigation, including questioning the complainant.