Opposition Submits Resolution Urging Audit Chief Choi Jae-hae's Resignation... "Undermining Audit Office Independence and Neutrality"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Opposition lawmakers on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee submitted a resolution on the 3rd calling for the resignation of Choi Jae-hae, the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI). This was in response to Choi referring to the BAI as an institution supporting the president's state administration during a National Assembly hearing, which they claim undermines the BAI's independence and political neutrality in its duties.

On the 3rd, Lee Dong-min, a member of the Democratic Party, announced that he, along with the Democratic Party floor leaders, Democratic Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Jo Jeong-hoon of the Transition Korea Party, and Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party, would submit a resolution to the National Assembly urging Choi's resignation.

Previously, on the 29th of last month, during a National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee briefing, Choi had stated that the BAI is an institution supporting the president's state administration. Opposition lawmakers criticized this, stating, "As the head of the nation's highest audit institution, Choi bears the constitutional duty to strictly and fairly exercise the audit authority granted by the Constitution while adhering to the core values of independence and political neutrality in his duties. However, by degrading the BAI to an institution supporting the president's state administration, he has undermined the BAI's independence and political neutrality in its duties, directly contradicting the spirit of the Constitution and the Board of Audit and Inspection Act."

Opposition lawmakers also raised concerns that "(Choi) has overlooked and abetted various abuses by Secretary-General Yoo Byung-ho, making it difficult to expect normal and stable operation of the BAI."

Additionally, the opposition pointed out issues such as the BAI being mobilized to pressure voluntary resignations of heads of institutions appointed by the previous administration, including the Korea Development Institute president, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission chairman, and the Korea Communications Commission chairman. They also criticized the BAI's audits of the Coast Guard and Ministry of National Defense regarding the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the West Sea public official killing incident. They argued, "If the BAI leads efforts to tarnish the previous administration's overall state management, it is tantamount to denying its own existence."