Presidential Office: "Kim Hyunji's Attendance Is a Matter for the National Assembly Steering Committee"

Kang Yujeong, Presidential Office Spokesperson, Briefs on the 26th

Kim Hyunji, Secretary General of the Presidential Office, is attending the 4th Chief and Aide Meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on July 17. Photo by Yonhap News

The Presidential Office stated that the issue of Kim Hyunji, Secretary General of the Presidential Office, attending the National Assembly audit is a matter to be decided by the National Assembly Steering Committee.

On the 26th, Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, responded to a question about whether Secretary Kim would attend the National Assembly during a briefing at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, saying, "Traditionally, the Secretary General is not a witness but an attendee, except in special cases," and added, "Even this is a matter to be decided by the National Assembly Steering Committee."

She reiterated, "Whether as a participant, an attendee, or a witness, the matter of attendance should be discussed and decided by the National Assembly."

The ruling and opposition parties are clashing over whether Secretary Kim, considered a key aide to President Lee, should attend the National Assembly audit. During the National Assembly Steering Committee meeting on the 24th, lawmakers from both sides exchanged heated words after the Democratic Party opposed summoning Secretary Kim as a witness.