[2025 National Audit] Steering Committee in Turmoil Over Kim Hyunji's Summons: "Appear" vs. "Stalker"

Steering Committee Conducts National Audit of Human Rights Commission and National Assembly Secretariat

On November 5, the National Assembly Steering Committee was thrown into disarray over the issue of summoning Kim Hyunji, the First Secretary to the President, as a witness during the national audit of the National Human Rights Commission, the National Assembly Secretariat, and other agencies. With the national audit of the Presidential Office scheduled for the following day, tensions between the ruling and opposition parties reached their peak.

Although the committee proceeded with the audit of the National Human Rights Commission and the National Assembly Secretariat, members of the ruling and opposition parties exchanged heated arguments from the morning over the issue of summoning Secretary Kim as a witness.

Joo Jinwoo, a member of the People Power Party, stated, "Even the trial of President Lee Jaemyung has been put on hold. Should the audit of Secretary Kim also be halted?" He emphasized, "There should be no sanctuary in the national audit. We must summon Secretary Kim to demonstrate that there are no exceptions."

Baek Seungah, a member of the Democratic Party, countered, "The People Power Party is obsessively fixated on Secretary Kim like a stalker. Their demand to summon her as a witness appears to have ulterior motives," adding, "It seems intended to cover up the issue of former President Yoon Sukyeol and to undermine the Lee Jaemyung administration."

Seo Jiyeong, a member of the People Power Party, argued, "Secretary Kim changed her device twice on the first day of the audit, and she also replaced her mobile phone on the day President Lee, then leader of the Democratic Party, appeared at Suwon District Prosecutors' Office for the Ssangbangwool illegal remittance to North Korea case." "Because she is always involved in the President's criminal history, we are demanding her appearance at the audit to resolve these suspicions," she said.

In response, Democratic Party members strongly protested Seo's remarks, and Committee Chair Kim also intervened, urging members to ask questions in line with the purpose of the audit. However, as the shouting match between the parties continued, the chair declared a 30-minute recess, requesting that questions unrelated to the agenda not be raised.

The National Assembly Steering Committee held a national audit on the National Human Rights Commission and others at the National Assembly Main Building on the 5th. Yonhap News

Additionally, Representative Joo raised the issue of the "Minjoo Police Station" operated by the Democratic Party, claiming, "The ruling party is encouraging citizens to report one another and pressuring investigative agencies to impose punishments. This is reminiscent of North Korea's fifth department system, where citizens monitor each other, and is an attempt to silence dissent."

In response, Kim Junhyeok, a Democratic Party member, criticized, "It is inappropriate to compare another party's activities to those of the North Korean regime and to resort to ideological attacks." Moon Jinseok, also of the Democratic Party, immediately objected, saying, "I have heard that the People Power Party is also creating a counter-organization."

Regarding the case of the Yangpyeong public official who died during a special prosecutor's investigation, Kwak Gyutaek of the People Power Party urged a prompt investigation, stating, "Given the seriousness of the matter, it is an issue the Human Rights Commission should naturally investigate ex officio."