Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Exclusion of Audit Witness
"Breaking Precedent and Hiding the Truth," Public Criticism Intensifies
On September 24, a heated debate erupted over whether to summon Kim Hyunji, the Chief Presidential Secretary for General Affairs and one of President Lee Jaemyung's closest aides, as a witness for the National Assembly Steering Committee's upcoming audit. When the Democratic Party of Korea expressed reluctance, the People Power Party questioned, "Is Secretary Kim Hyunji such a dignified figure that she must never be summoned?" Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon also criticized the ruling party's double standards, comparing the situation to the Democratic Party's insistence on holding a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee Cho Heedae on September 30.
That day, Han Donghoon posted on his social media, "The Democratic Party freely summons the Chief Justice and Supreme Court justices, but blocks the Chief Presidential Secretary for General Affairs from being called," and asked, "Representative Jeong Cheongrae, by your logic, what is Kim Hyunji?" This was a parody of Representative Jeong's controversial social media post from the previous day, in which he said, "If even the president can be replaced, what's so special about the Chief Justice?"
Earlier that morning, the Steering Committee of the National Assembly discussed the adoption of the list of general witnesses for the audit, which begins on November 5. The People Power Party objected to the omission of Secretary Kim Hyunji from the list. They argued that the Chief Presidential Secretary for General Affairs, who oversees the administration's budget, personnel, and operations, has never been excluded from the audit witness list since the 14th National Assembly, making the position an essential presence at such hearings.
The People Power Party accused the current administration of attempting to conceal power, stating, "Every previous government has attended, but only this administration is avoiding it." The Democratic Party countered, calling it "politicizing the honeymoon period." Although the issue remained unresolved, the political repercussions continued to intensify.
On September 24, during the Steering Committee meeting, the People Power Party framed the exclusion of Secretary Kim as an issue directly tied to the administration's lack of transparency. Assemblyman Yoo Sangbeom said, "Is the Chief Presidential Secretary for General Affairs such a dignified figure that she must never be summoned? The fact that this administration is the only one to exclude her from a position that has never been omitted since democratization is evidence that something is being hidden." Assemblywoman Cho Jiyeon also raised her voice, asking, "How can we conduct an audit without the Chief Presidential Secretary for General Affairs, who oversees personnel, finance, and administration?"
In particular, Assemblywoman Kim Eunhye emphasized, "There is even a saying, 'Everything goes through Kim Hyunji,' or 'Mansahyeontong.' Blocking such a figure from being summoned as a witness only proves her influence." In contrast, the Democratic Party stressed the tradition of a "honeymoon period" for new administrations. Assemblyman Moon Jinseok said, "It has been customary to cooperate during the first six months of a new administration," and argued, "Since the Chief of Staff is ultimately responsible, it is sufficient to summon only that position." Assemblyman Park Sanghyuk also stated, "The Chief of Staff can answer all relevant issues." Amid these arguments, political circles assessed that the conflict over the witness list had escalated into a direct clash between the power structure of the presidential office and the National Assembly's oversight authority. Regardless of any eventual agreement between the parties, analysts noted that the political symbolism of the issue is already spreading beyond the audit to the broader political landscape.
Secretary Kim Hyunji began a 30-year relationship with President Lee Jae-myung while serving as the executive committee chair and secretary general of the Seongnam Citizens' Association, which President Lee established in 1998 during his time as a lawyer. Photo by Asia Economy
Meanwhile, Secretary Kim Hyunji began a 30-year relationship with President Lee Jaemyung while serving as the executive committee chair and secretary general of the Seongnam Citizens' Association, which President Lee established in 1998 during his time as a lawyer. She has closely assisted President Lee throughout his political career. When President Lee was elected mayor of Seongnam, she served as secretary of the transition committee (the Seongnam Happiness Planning Committee), and also worked as secretary general of 'Seongnam Agenda 21,' a nonprofit organization supported by the city. Later, she served as a secretary at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government during Lee's tenure as governor, as an aide when Lee was a member of the National Assembly, and now holds the position of inaugural Chief Presidential Secretary for General Affairs in the current administration.
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