Lee Junseok: "Kim Hyunji as Both Red Team and Power Broker? Only Kim Keonhee Comes to Mind"

Controversy Over Kim Hyunji's Attendance at the National Assembly Audit
Lee Junseok: "No One Has Been Both Red Team and Power Broker Except Kim Keonhee"
"Previous Administration Also Collapsed Trying to Protect One Person"

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, criticized Kim Hyunji, the First Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, who has become the subject of controversy regarding whether she will attend the National Assembly audit. He stated, "Members of the Democratic Party keep saying things like 'she is very diligent and does her work well' or 'she is the red team (who offers candid criticism),' which are self-contradictory statements," adding, "But there has never been a case where a red team member holds real power." Appearing on YTN Radio's 'The Interview' on the 16th, Lee said, "Given that she is not appearing at the audit even in this situation, it shows she is a person of significant influence."

Lee Junseok, Representative of the Reform New Party. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Lee explained, "Usually, red teams are non-mainstream and are often sidelined," adding, "People like former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Chongin and former National Assembly Secretary-General Yoo In-tae are respected political seniors who often voiced candid criticism, but it was difficult for them to become mainstream." He continued, "If Deputy Chief Kim is effectively influencing decisions while playing the role of the red team, then she is not a red team member but a veto-holder," and pointed out, "If someone can block the decisions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, what else could that be but a veto-holder?"

He added, "The only person I can recall who was both part of the red team and close to real power is First Lady Kim Keonhee," and claimed, "A veto-holder or veto group is someone who can stop the President by saying, 'You can't do that,' no matter what the President tries to do."

On the same day, Lee also commented on social media, "There is tension not only in the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee but also in several other standing committees over 'Madam Kim Hyunji,'" adding, "I have never met her and do not know much about her, but I just hope she appears at the National Assembly." He continued, "Would the public want to see a repeat of the previous administration, where everything fell apart because they tried to protect one person?"

Kim Hyunji, the First Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, is attending the Senior Secretary Meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

The People Power Party is pressuring Deputy Chief Kim, known as one of President Lee Jaemyung's closest aides, to attend the National Assembly audit. Among the 17 standing committees currently conducting audits, at least six are demanding her to be called as a witness. Floor Leader Song Eonseok stated, "She must appear at the audit and answer questions sincerely regarding her involvement in ministerial-level personnel matters, which could be seen as an abuse of authority during her time as Chief Secretary for General Affairs," adding, "The fact that so many standing committees are bringing up Deputy Chief Kim shows just how extensively she was involved and that she is a key power broker."

On the other hand, Baek Seunga, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "There was no reason Deputy Chief Kim could not attend the audit even when she was Chief Secretary for General Affairs before becoming Deputy Chief," but pointed out, "The People Power Party is continuing to engage in political strife." Baek criticized, "The audit should focus on matters concerning the Presidential Office, but the People Power Party is even bringing up issues from President Lee's time as mayor of Seongnam, turning it into a political fight," adding, "They are obsessing to a stalker-like degree."

She added, "Our party's position is that the issue of calling Deputy Chief Kim as a witness should not be used to distract from the essence of the audit or as a tool for political strife," and concluded, "We will announce our decision on her attendance as soon as it is determined."