[2021 National Audit] Police Agency National Audit Started One Hour Late... 'Daejangdong Mask' Debate Suspended After 30 Minutes

On the 5th, at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency held at the Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, members of the People Power Party attended wearing masks with the phrase "Accept the special investigation on the Pangyo Daejang-dong Gate!" Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the 5th, the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency started an hour later than scheduled due to delays in selecting witnesses amid negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties, but was adjourned after 30 minutes amid a 'mask controversy.'

The National Police Agency audit was originally scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. but was convened at 11 a.m., about an hour late. Seo Young-kyo, chair of the Public Administration and Security Committee, explained the delay in response to a request from Park Wan-joo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "There was content to be agreed upon between the ruling and opposition parties, but there was a difference of opinion that was not narrowed down, so it was a bit late," adding, "It was related to witnesses."

Although the audit finally began, it was adjourned again without the National Police Agency's work report being delivered. When members of the People Power Party entered the audit hall wearing masks with phrases demanding a special prosecution for the Daejang-dong development scandal, ruling party members protested. Park Wan-soo, the People Power Party's secretary, said, "It is one of the political claims, and the ruling party should understand it to some extent," to which Park Jae-ho, the Democratic Party's secretary, retorted, "Wouldn't it be better to faithfully perform as an audit member when attending the audit?"

Chair Seo intervened, saying, "The Legislation and Judiciary Committee is proceeding after changing masks and has seen the effect, so there is no need to get emotional," but the debate continued. Lee Young, a People Power Party member, said, "It is a claim to adopt a special prosecution method for the investigation, not a criticism of the ruling party," and added, "We are not boycotting the audit, so please proceed with the audit." Baek Hye-ryun, a Democratic Party member, responded, "To ensure a sincere audit, political disputes should be prevented, so let's change masks and proceed with the audit normally."

As the dispute did not subside, Chair Seo declared a 10-minute recess at around 11:30 a.m., 30 minutes after the audit began, and started consultations between the ruling and opposition party secretaries.