[Lee Jae Myung’s Power Player] "It is war" Kim Hyun Ji, Chief Secretary for General Affairs [AK Radio]

Kim Hyun Ji, Chief Secretary for General Affairs at the Presidential Office, is often referred to as the "shadow secretary." This nickname was given by the media because details such as her date and place of birth, or her educational background, are not publicly known, and she rarely appears at public events. Even when she worked at a National Assembly member's office, she mostly stayed inside the office with the blinds drawn, and she was rarely seen at restaurants frequented by aides. She is considered one of President Lee Jae Myung's closest confidants, having known him for over 30 years, and is a key figure in the Seongnam-Gyeonggi network. Despite holding the important position of Chief Secretary for General Affairs at the Presidential Office, little is publicly known about her.

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President Lee Jae Myung established a connection with Secretary Kim Hyun Ji even before he became mayor of Seongnam. Kim served as secretary general for the Seongnam Citizens' Association and the Seongnam Agenda 21 Implementation Council (Seongnam Agenda 21). Seongnam Agenda 21 is known as a civic group that, during President Lee's tenure as mayor of Seongnam, had an office inside city hall and held discussions with the mayor about the city's agenda.

Kim Hyun Ji began to gain recognition in political circles when President Lee Jae Myung became governor of Gyeonggi Province. She started her public service career by joining the Gyeonggi Provincial Government as a secretary. After President Lee lost the 2022 presidential election and was elected to the National Assembly representing Gyeyang-eul in Incheon, Kim became his chief aide. She provided close support to President Lee in the National Assembly. After President Lee won the most recent presidential election, Kim joined the Presidential Office as Chief Secretary for General Affairs.

The Chief Secretary for General Affairs wields considerable influence over personnel and budget matters within the Presidential Office. As a result, there were even rumors that one needed Kim Hyun Ji's approval to become an administrator at the Presidential Office. Previous presidents have also appointed trusted confidants to this position. Notable examples include Lee Jae Man during the Park Geun Hye administration, Lee Jeong Do during the Moon Jae In administration, and Yoon Jae Soon during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is reading a text message saying "It is war" sent by aide Kim Hyun Ji at the opening ceremony of the regular National Assembly session on September 1, 2022. Photo by Yoon Dong Joo

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With key figures of the so-called Seongnam-Gyeonggi network, such as Jeong Jin Sang, former chief of staff for the Democratic Party leader, and Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, finding it difficult to be active due to legal risks, Kim Hyun Ji's presence has become more prominent by comparison.Kim Nam Jun, chief of the First Lady's Office, Kim Yong Chae, personnel secretary, and Kim Nak Joong, policy coordination secretary for national tasks, are also part of the Seongnam-Gyeonggi network.

Kim Hyun Ji drew significant media attention in September 2022. At that time, President Lee Jae Myung was a member of the National Assembly, and cameras captured him looking at his phone inside the main chamber. "The attendance request for the assembly member has just arrived. It is war," was the message sent by Kim Hyun Ji. When this was made public, both the phrase and the sender, "Kim Hyun Ji," became a topic of discussion.

Kim Hyun Ji is known for her thorough, work-focused approach, avoiding the spotlight and steering clear of controversy in any form. As her profile has risen, the pressure she faces is also believed to have increased significantly. She is also known as a "high school mom."

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