Board of Audit and Inspection: "People Power Party Cannot Conduct Real Estate Investigation"

People's Power Party floor spokesperson Jeon Ju-hye (from left), floor chief deputy representative Chu Kyung-ho, and floor spokesperson Kang Min-guk requested a full investigation into real estate speculation by People's Power Party lawmakers at the Board of Audit and Inspection in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 9th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 10th, the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) announced that it sent a response stating it cannot conduct a full investigation into real estate speculation allegations requested by the People Power Party.

Earlier, the People Power Party requested the BAI to investigate all of its members. This was a reaction to the ruling Democratic Party's recent move to request an investigation from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, which led to some members with allegations being urged to leave the party as part of reform efforts.

There had been many opinions that it would be difficult from the start since the BAI does not have the authority to investigate members of the National Assembly. The BAI responded on the day, stating, "Article 24 (Matters of Inspection), Paragraph 3 of the Board of Audit and Inspection Act, which defines the scope of the BAI's duties and inspections, explicitly excludes 'public officials belonging to the National Assembly, the courts, and the Constitutional Court.' Therefore, even if a member of the National Assembly consents to be investigated by the BAI, the BAI must perform its duties within the authority and scope prescribed by the Constitution and laws."