Audit Board Notifies Former President Moon of Written Investigation... Opposition Says "Crossed the Line" vs Ruling Party Says "Covering Up the Truth"

Ruling and Opposition Clash Over Moon Jae-in's Refusal to Respond to Board of Audit Investigation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The opposition party strongly opposed the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation notice sent last week to former President Moon Jae-in, saying, "Have they decided to use the Board of Audit and Inspection as a servant of power?" In response, the ruling party countered by pointing out that former President Moon refused the written investigation, stating, "He has an obligation to answer the stern questions of the people."

On the 3rd, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "Unfair investigations by the Board of Audit and Inspection into a former president are a declaration of war to use the authority entrusted by the people for power."

They criticized, "The Board of Audit and Inspection's behavior crossing the line is becoming more outrageous," and questioned, "What authority does the Board of Audit and Inspection, which is not an investigative agency, have to investigate a former president who has already left public office?"

They continued, "The West Sea government official shooting incident is already being persistently investigated by the prosecution," and criticized, "After countless searches of various institutions and summoning numerous people for investigation through the prosecution, since things did not go as hoped, they are mobilizing the Board of Audit and Inspection again."

They also said, "When powerful organizations such as the National Intelligence Service, the prosecution, and the Board of Audit and Inspection obey power rather than the people, the people have wielded a severe whip to demand fundamental reform of those organizations," adding, "The people of the Republic of Korea are well aware of the dangers of power institutions being used as tools of politics."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, Jang Dong-hyuk, floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, rebutted on the same day through a statement, saying, "Former President Moon refused the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation regarding the ‘West Sea government official shooting incident’," and added, "Former President Moon expressed strong displeasure and even refused to receive the questionnaire."

He continued, "The state failed to protect our citizens, and the government defamed the deceased and their families by labeling the deceased as a defector to the North," and stated, "As a responsible former president, it is a natural duty to respond to this."

He also said, "The Board of Audit and Inspection requested attendance for investigation from former National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won and former Blue House National Security Office Chief Seo Hoon, but both refused," adding, "It seems as if they are all conspiring to cover up the truth of the incident."

Spokesperson Jang emphasized, "Former President Moon should not hide behind the shield of ‘political retaliation’ but answer the stern questions of the people and the anguished cries of the bereaved families," and stressed, "The email that former President Moon sent back to the Board of Audit and Inspection will pierce the hearts of the bereaved families and bruise their spirits."