Yoon Golf Course Excessive Security Controversy... Security Office "Lawful Measures, Regret Distortion"

Explaining While Comparing to Trump Assassination Attempt
"Absolute Safety Guaranteed for Protected Persons, No Exceptions"
Press Association: "Violation of Press Freedom, Serious Issue"

President Yoon Suk-yeol, attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Peru and the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in Brazil, is greeting before boarding Air Force One, his official aircraft, at the 2nd Air Force Base in Lima, Peru, on the 17th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Presidential Security Service addressed the controversy over 'excessive security' against reporters covering President Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to a golf course, stating on the 18th that "actions were taken lawfully in accordance with relevant laws and regulations" and expressing regret over "distorted judgments and reports regarding legitimate security and safety activities."

A Security Service official explained, "On November 9th, during an unofficial security event, unidentified individuals concealed themselves within the security zone and engaged in illegal filming."

The official added, "On that day, on-site personnel discovered the unidentified individuals near the main gate, stopped their filming, and ordered deletion of the images. However, those who did not reveal their identities passed through the main gate about an hour later and continued filming while hiding in the forest."

He continued, "When the on-site personnel approached, the individuals fled. Judging this as a security threat, the personnel immediately pursued and apprehended them to verify any intent to cause harm before handing them over to the police."

He further stated, "Despite these circumstances, it is inappropriate for some to claim excessive response to lawful reporting. The fact that they hid in the forest after the first warning clearly indicates a security threat."

The Security Service official noted, "It is difficult to compare the situations in Korea and the United States," while also referencing the assassination attempt that occurred during former U.S. President Donald Trump's golf event on September 15th.

The official explained, "There can be no exceptions when it comes to guaranteeing the absolute safety of the person under protection."

Earlier, CBS No Cut News reported on the 9th that President Yoon played a round of golf at the Taereung Training Center (Taereung CC). It also reported that during coverage on the 15th, reporters experienced undue pressure, including having their mobile phones confiscated by Security Service personnel.

The Korea Journalists Association issued a statement that day calling it "a serious issue infringing on press freedom."

The association said, "Intimidation by those in power and false explanations cannot hide the truth," adding, "There will be no shrinking of the press's mission due to the confiscation of reporters' mobile phones and police investigations."