Political tensions are escalating as allegations of personnel interference by Kim Hyun-ji, the head of the Presidential Office's first secretariat, emerge in connection with the nomination of Yoon Hye-in as Minister of Gender Equality and Family. The ruling People Power Party is intensifying its attacks, suggesting that the upcoming confirmation hearing for Yoon could broaden to include scrutiny of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the presidential personnel system.
On September 6, the People Power Party continued its offensive against the allegations of Kim's involvement in personnel decisions. Jung Jeong-sik, the party's floor leader, stated on Facebook, "More important than the phrase 'the personnel line is Kim Hyun-ji' is the question, 'Is there a personnel line in the Blue House?'" He pointed to a malfunctioning personnel verification system as a reason for the government's personnel failures.
He added, "It appears that the pre-verification system has collapsed, relying instead on the political judgments of a small number of close aides like Kim Hyun-ji," criticizing her as the key figure managing personnel in the Lee administration.
This response follows comments made by Seo Yong-joo, head of the Mac Political and Social Research Institute, who stated on YouTube on September 4 that "the personnel line is Kim Hyun-ji." In response, Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo dismissed the remarks as a "joking comment," but the People Power Party has ramped up its criticism. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk also referred to Kim as the "unofficial power broker of the Blue House" on his Facebook page, asserting that she likely played a role in Yoon's nomination.
This is not the first time Kim has faced allegations of personnel interference. In December of last year, a photo surfaced showing Kim Nam-guk, then the digital communication secretary, responding to a request for personnel recommendations from Democratic Party lawmaker Moon Jin-seok with, "I will recommend (Kang) Hoon-sik and (Kim) Hyun-ji."
As the opposition raises various allegations against Yoon, the renewed controversy surrounding Kim's involvement is expected to intensify the opposition's attacks. The People Power Party is anticipated to expand the scope of the confirmation hearing beyond Yoon's qualifications and policies to include the overall personnel system of the Lee administration and the Blue House.
Jung also criticized Yoon's alleged "under-organization" on Facebook, referring to a "Yoon Hye-in-Kim Gil-o-Kim Hyun-ji triangular mystery in personnel matters," warning that if this continues, the confirmation hearing for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family could turn into a hearing for "Kim Gil-o's under-organization" rather than for Yoon Hye-in herself.
Meanwhile, as various allegations and criticisms against Yoon grow, some voices within the ruling party are calling for her to resign. In response, Yoon stated, "I will provide detailed explanations during the confirmation hearing."
On September 6, the People Power Party continued its offensive against the allegations of Kim's involvement in personnel decisions. Jung Jeong-sik, the party's floor leader, stated on Facebook, "More important than the phrase 'the personnel line is Kim Hyun-ji' is the question, 'Is there a personnel line in the Blue House?'" He pointed to a malfunctioning personnel verification system as a reason for the government's personnel failures.
He added, "It appears that the pre-verification system has collapsed, relying instead on the political judgments of a small number of close aides like Kim Hyun-ji," criticizing her as the key figure managing personnel in the Lee administration.
This response follows comments made by Seo Yong-joo, head of the Mac Political and Social Research Institute, who stated on YouTube on September 4 that "the personnel line is Kim Hyun-ji." In response, Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo dismissed the remarks as a "joking comment," but the People Power Party has ramped up its criticism. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk also referred to Kim as the "unofficial power broker of the Blue House" on his Facebook page, asserting that she likely played a role in Yoon's nomination.
This is not the first time Kim has faced allegations of personnel interference. In December of last year, a photo surfaced showing Kim Nam-guk, then the digital communication secretary, responding to a request for personnel recommendations from Democratic Party lawmaker Moon Jin-seok with, "I will recommend (Kang) Hoon-sik and (Kim) Hyun-ji."
As the opposition raises various allegations against Yoon, the renewed controversy surrounding Kim's involvement is expected to intensify the opposition's attacks. The People Power Party is anticipated to expand the scope of the confirmation hearing beyond Yoon's qualifications and policies to include the overall personnel system of the Lee administration and the Blue House.
Jung also criticized Yoon's alleged "under-organization" on Facebook, referring to a "Yoon Hye-in-Kim Gil-o-Kim Hyun-ji triangular mystery in personnel matters," warning that if this continues, the confirmation hearing for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family could turn into a hearing for "Kim Gil-o's under-organization" rather than for Yoon Hye-in herself.
Meanwhile, as various allegations and criticisms against Yoon grow, some voices within the ruling party are calling for her to resign. In response, Yoon stated, "I will provide detailed explanations during the confirmation hearing."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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