Seoul: A parliamentary audit of the presidential office was abruptly halted after just an hour on Thursday, as tensions escalated into a physical scuffle among lawmakers from rival parties regarding the absence of President Lee Jae Myung's close aide and personal secretary.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Hyun-ji, who has served as a long-time aide to the president and was appointed as his personal secretary in September, has been at the center of political controversy. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has accused Kim of overstepping her authority and taking part in personnel appointments as a "shadowy" confidant. The PPP has persistently demanded her presence at the ongoing parliamentary audit that commenced on October 13, but the ruling Democratic Party (DP) has obstructed attempts to summon her as a witness.
During the Steering Committee's audit of the presidential office, which marks the first such scrutiny under the Lee administration, lawmakers from opposing parties clashed over Kim's nonappearance. Tensions remained high even after the session paused, with video footage capturing a moment where PPP floor leader Song Eon-seog, while exiting the chamber, turned back and collided shoulders with DP Rep. Lee Ki-heon, who was following him, leading to a brief altercation.
Rep. Song swiftly convened a press conference, alleging that Rep. Lee was the instigator of the confrontation. "Physical contact or violence is prohibited under the National Assembly Advancement Act, but such an act of violence regrettably took place today in the Steering Committee's audit of the presidential office," he stated.
In response, Rep. Lee also addressed the media, asserting that Song turned around and "practically threw himself" at him after Lee remarked that the PPP was hindering the audit. "I cannot help but condemn those who call me a thug when I am the victim here," Lee declared.
The appointment of Kim has fueled speculation that her reassignment could be a tactic to shield her from being summoned to the parliamentary audit, as personal secretaries are generally exempt from such proceedings. However, the presidential office has refuted these claims, asserting that the reshuffle is unrelated to the audit.