Audit Board Chairman Encourages Proactive Administration: "No Punishment for COVID-19 Work Without Personal Corruption"

Choi Jae-hyung, Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] On the 25th, Choi Jae-hyung, Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, encouraged proactive administration regarding the performance of duties to overcome the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, stating, "As long as there is no personal corruption, there will be no personal accountability for public officials who have performed their duties."

On the same day, Chairman Choi conveyed this message through a special letter to heads of audit organizations in central government ministries and metropolitan local governments. He said, "We will promptly respond to pre-consultation cases submitted in relation to overcoming the (COVID-19) crisis," adding, "If there is even a slight concern that the appropriate timing for handling duties might be missed due to pre-consultation, please proceed with the work swiftly based on your own judgment. The Board of Audit and Inspection will significantly relax the standards for exemption from accountability in proactive administration and will not hold individuals personally accountable for such measures."

He further emphasized, "In overcoming this crisis situation, there must never be any passive performance of duties due to reasons such as 'there is no precedent' or 'regulations are insufficient,'” and reiterated, “I promise that 'post-audit' will not be a burden."

Currently, the Board of Audit and Inspection processes pre-consultation matters related to overcoming the economic crisis and quarantine on the principle of next-day handling.

Chairman Choi also requested that proactive administration exemption and pre-consultation systems be boldly applied within internal audit organizations. He asked that the same standards for proactive administration exemption applied to public officials be extended to medical institutions, individuals, and organizations devoted to quarantine and economic crisis measures, so that minor mistakes or errors are not held against them.

Additionally, he urged the maintenance of strict public service discipline, stating, "Since this is not only a national crisis situation but also a period ahead of the April 15 general election, it is more necessary than ever for public officials to uphold political neutrality and maintain strict public service discipline."