Choi Jae-hyung Nods to Resignation Question on 28th... Ruling Party's Onslaught: "He Must Undergo Inspection First"

Choi Jae-hyung Likely to Contemplate Presidential Run After Retirement
Choi Moon-soon: "Violation of Political Neutrality, Should Suspend Duties and Conduct Special Inspection"
Yang Seung-jo Pledges to Establish 'Yoon Seok-yeol and Choi Jae-hyung Prevention Law'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] It has been reported that Choi Jae-hyung, Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, will tender his resignation on the 28th. Rather than immediately launching a political campaign such as running for president, he is expected to prepare for the presidential election behind the scenes.

On that day, after attending a worship service at a church in Seodaemun-gu in the morning, Choi nodded when asked if he would announce his resignation tomorrow, according to Money Today. Regarding his presidential bid, he said, "I need to think more. This is not an easy matter."

A close aide to Chairman Choi said on the 25th, "Over the weekend, Chairman Choi visited his father and promised not to cause him worry," adding, "I judge that he will make a statement regarding his position next week." It was reported that Choi had been persuading retired Navy Colonel Choi Young-seop, who opposed his political move, leading to speculation that his resignation was imminent.

Earlier reports claimed that Chairman Choi had submitted his resignation to the Blue House, but the Blue House reportedly denied this.

Voices raising concerns about Chairman Choi's actions continued from the ruling party. Choi Moon-soon, Governor of Gangwon Province and a presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, argued, "The Board of Audit and Inspection should immediately convene an audit committee to suspend Chairman Choi from his duties." He said, "The Board of Audit and Inspection should immediately suspend Chairman Choi and investigate whether he violated Article 10 of the Board of Audit and Inspection Act, which prohibits political activities. Chairman Choi should undergo a special duty inspection before submitting his resignation, and depending on the results, he should either be disciplined or submit his resignation."

Governor Choi stated, "Chairman Choi's presidential run ultimately proves that the Board of Audit and Inspection's audits were political acts," and added, "It is evidence that the government's policy audits were not conducted with pure intentions."

Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, who also declared his intention to run for president, pledged to enact the ‘Yoon Seok-yeol and Choi Jae-hyung Prevention Act,’ which would prohibit senior officials of investigative agencies from running for public office during the period they served in their positions.