Presidential Office's Unregistered Building, Clearly Designated as 'Golf Practice Range' in Blueprints

It has been confirmed that the blueprints for the unregistered building located in the Presidential residence in Hannam-dong clearly specify its intended use as a 'golf practice range.'

This contradicts previous explanations from the Presidential Office and the National Security Office, which stated the facility was a 'storage' or 'security facility.'

According to a report by KBS on the 1st, the media outlet obtained the blueprints for the unregistered building constructed at the Presidential residence three years ago.

The blueprints distinctly indicate the use as a 'Hannam-dong Golf Practice Range' at the bottom.

The blueprints indicate that the facility measures 11 meters in length, 7 meters in width, and has a maximum height of 6 meters. The area is about 70㎡ (approximately 21 pyeong), which fits the space requirements (length 6m, width 4.5m, height 3.5m) typically needed for golf practice facilities.

The KBS reporting team went directly to the companies listed on the blueprints for verification.

While the representative from the design company claimed to be unaware of the blueprints, a representative from the subcontractor involved in the construction admitted, "We did the work based on the design provided to us by OOO (design company)," confirming that the construction proceeded according to the blueprints.

Notably, the date indicated on the blueprints is significant. The National Security Office revealed that the contract for the building's construction was signed with Hyundai Construction in July 2022, and it was completed in August, but the blueprints were dated June 3, a month earlier than the contract signing.

This suggests the possibility that the order for the construction of the 'golf practice range' was placed even before the contract was signed.

The controversy surrounding this facility has persisted since last year. Initially, when allegations of it being a screen golf facility were raised, the Presidential Office explained it as a 'storage' facility, and later the National Security Office changed its description to a 'security facility.'

Earlier this year, the Board of Audit and Inspection secured testimony from a National Security Office official that materials necessary for a golf practice range were used in the interior finishing of the facility.

This can be viewed as evidence supporting the possibility that the facility was originally planned as a golf practice range.

Hyundai Construction, which oversaw the construction of the facility at the request of the National Security Office, stated to KBS that it was difficult to respond due to contractual obligations with the office.

Additionally, Kim Jong-cheol, the then-deputy head of the National Security Office, confirmed in a phone call with the media that the building consists of "a golf practice range, a rest room, a waiting post, and a physical training facility."

This statement contrasts with the testimony given by Kim Seong-hoon, the then-deputy head of the National Security Office, during a National Assembly investigation in January, where he denied the existence of a golf practice facility.

Former Deputy Kim also revealed his proactive involvement in the construction's location and purpose along with Kim Yong-hyun, the former head of the National Security Office.

Another participant in the construction testified to KBS that Kim Yong-hyun visited the site multiple times and specifically instructed that the building should not be captured in satellite images.

Subsequently, Kim Yong-hyun became the Minister of National Defense, and Kim Jong-cheol became the Commissioner of Military Manpower Administration.

The prosecution and the Board of Audit and Inspection are also examining the legality of the construction of the building funded by the National Security Office budget.

Naver TV 'KBS News'

Image source: kbs, illustrative photos for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank, News1