Park Ji-won Reveals Kim Hyunji Phone Call: "I Told Her to Attend the Audit, She Said 'I Never Refused'"

Park Ji-won, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the controversy surrounding Kim Hyunji, the First Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, being summoned to the National Assembly audit. He stated, "I encouraged her to attend the audit by saying, 'You're smart, so you should attend the audit.' Kim replied, 'I never said I wouldn't attend.'"

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

According to Gwangju Broadcasting on the 18th, Assemblyman Park introduced details of his phone conversation with Kim during the program "Yeouido Guest Seat" aired on the 16th. He said, "At that time, she was the Secretary for General Affairs, and the Secretary for General Affairs is required to attend the audit, but now she is the Deputy Chief of Staff. Is there any corruption involving the Deputy Chief of Staff similar to the so-called 'Ten Eunuchs' who wielded power at the Blue House during former President Park Geun-hye's administration? Did Kim Hyunji commit treason?"

Assemblyman Park further questioned, "I know Kim well. Is it right to slander her by calling her 'the lady of the house' or a 'communist'?"

On the 9th, Assemblyman Park also remarked, "When Kim was serving as the Secretary for General Affairs, she never said she wouldn't attend the audit. I don't understand why this is an issue now. She is smart and capable. If it were me, I would attend and face it head-on."