Audit Office Investigation Refused by Moon... Ruling Party: "Please Acknowledge Our Privileges?" vs Opposition: "Political Exploitation by Previous Government"

Board of Audit and Inspection, Intensified Confrontation Between Ruling and Opposition Over 'Written Inquiry Notice to Moon'
"This National Audit Will Be Very Noisy" Concerns Over 'Political Conflict Audit'

Former President Moon Jae-in is having a conversation while receiving a visit from Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and other party leaders at his private residence in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan City, Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] The ruling and opposition parties clashed again over the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation notice to former President Moon Jae-in regarding the 'West Sea Civilian Shooting Incident.' The conflict between the ruling and opposition parties, which had continued over the passage of a motion to dismiss Foreign Minister Park Jin, appears to be escalating into a confrontation between the old and new powers.

On the 3rd, Yoon Gun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker who served as the head of the Blue House's National Situation Room during the Moon Jae-in administration, stated at a National Assembly press conference, "On September 30, I reported on the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation. Former President Moon said it was a 'very rude act.'"

According to Lawmaker Yoon, on the 28th of last month, the Board of Audit and Inspection called the secretary office at Pyeongsan Village to request a written investigation. The secretary office refused to accept the questionnaire, asking for clarification on exactly what the Board intended to investigate.

Subsequently, the Board of Audit and Inspection sent another email requesting the written investigation to the secretary office, but the office returned the email on the 30th. Lawmaker Yoon explained, "Since it was a matter beyond the Board of Audit and Inspection's authority from the start, it was natural to refuse the investigation. There was no need to meet, and it was also inappropriate to send a reply, so the email was returned." He added, "Returning the email means refusing to accept it."

The Democratic Party is protesting, claiming that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is attempting to change the narrative by 'smearing the previous government.' At a party meeting on the 4th, party leader Lee Jae-myung said, "Political persecution directly targeting former President Moon Jae-in is becoming blatant. Like a dictatorship that trampled competitors with guns and swords to protect the people, the current administration has launched a reign of terror with investigative power claiming to uphold justice." He warned, "We strongly caution the Yoon Suk-yeol government. We hope they reflect on history and see how past administrations ended after abusing the authority granted by the people for personal gain."

On the other hand, the People Power Party pressured acceptance of the investigation, stating, "There can be no sanctuary just because someone is a former president." At a party audit strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, floor leader Joo Ho-young said, "Being a former president does not grant privileges, and it is only natural to respond to the investigation." He added, "Previous presidents also responded to the Board of Audit and Inspection's questions and even underwent investigations. We cannot help but ask if former President Moon Jae-in is requesting special privileges as a 'former president Moon Jae-in.'"

Political commentators say that while the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation notice could cause political misunderstandings, it is not something to be considered 'rude.' Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Since the prosecution's investigation into the West Sea civilian shooting incident is ongoing, there seems to be no need for the Board of Audit and Inspection to rush an investigation of the former president. In that context, the ruling party's claim that this is a narrative shift is understandable." He added, "However, calling it 'rude' seems like an overreaction and makes people think there is something to hide. It would have been better to respond calmly."

Choi Jin, director of the Presidential Leadership Institute, also said, "When a state agency officially requests an inquiry on a specific matter, it is the president's role to respond." He added, "Former President Moon is not the only one to receive an investigation notice from the Board of Audit and Inspection. If there is a problem, objections can be raised clearly when political intentions become evident."

Amid ongoing confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties, the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation notice is expected to be a key issue in the first National Assembly audit of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration starting on the 4th. Some in the political sphere express concern that amid a severe economic crisis, the 'people's livelihood audit' will be lost, leaving only political strife between the ruling and opposition parties. On the 3rd, Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho appeared on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and said, "(The People Power Party) will launch an offensive to blame the country’s downfall on former President Moon, and the Democratic Party will form a front criticizing President Yoon's post-election actions and various incompetencies. There will be clashes in all standing committees." He added, "This audit will have almost no policy review. It is likely to be a very noisy audit."