PPP begins disciplinary action against Daegu mayor for golfing

The conservative People Power Party's (PPP) ethics committee decided Thursday to initiate disciplinary action against Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo.

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo bows his head in apology in a press conference in Daegu Wednesday after coming under fire for playing golf over the weekend when the country was suffering from many casualties and damages due to heavy downpours. [YONHAP]

The conservative People Power Party's (PPP) ethics committee decided Thursday to initiate disciplinary action against Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo.

Hong has come under intense fire for playing golf last Saturday, when the nation was struggling with torrential rains and landslides that left dozens dead or missing.

He was about an hour into his round at a golf course on Mount Palgong in Daegu on Saturday when the outing was finally called off because of the rain.

Later that day, a man in his 60s went missing in Palgeocheon, a stream in Daegu, after being swept away by the water.

Lawmakers of the liberal Democratic Party and other critics said that it was inappropriate for a public servant to play golf at a time when the country was struggling to cope with the rain damage and casualties.

Hong initially rebuffed the criticism, claiming he did nothing wrong, and that there had been no report of damage in Daegu at the time. He underscored he had the right to do whatever he wants during his private time.

Addressing questions, Hong told reporters Monday that his actions "had not been inappropriate."

He said that allowing leaders to engage in private activities over the weekend "is a principle that has been followed for decades."

"I do not disclose any personal schedules on the weekend," Hong wrote in a Facebook post on the same day. "Fortunately, Daegu was not affected by floods, so I spent my weekend relatively freely."

However, his remarks only garnered further criticism, and the PPP said that it will look into the criticism against Hong under the instructions of PPP Chairman Kim Gi-hyeon.

Kim said in a party meeting that lawmakers and regional party officials alike "should try to make sure not to cause trouble with inappropriate words and deeds," especially in times of a national disaster.

Other PPP lawmakers likewise pointed out that Hong had failed to fulfill his responsibility during a time of crisis and drew further public backlash for his unapologetic attitude.

Hong finally issued an apology on Wednesday as the issue snowballed.

"There was no violation of the disaster response manual," Hong said, "but I humbly accept criticism that it was inappropriate at a time when flood damage was feared across the nation."

The ethics committee said Thursday it will meet next Wednesday to decide on the level of disciplinary action to take on Hong, who is accused of tarnishing the party's image through his actions and words going against public sentiment.

There have been at least 46 deaths related to the recent heavy rains.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]