[2022 National Audit] Audit Board Text Sparks Ruling and Opposition Dispute... Han Dong-hoon Emphasizes Legitimacy of 'Prosecutor's Office Uniform'

Yoo Byung-ho, Secretary General of the Board of Audit and Inspection, Text Message Controversy Leads to Opposition Judiciary Committee Press Conference
"Demand for Yoo's Dismissal and Detention, Resignation of Chairman Choi Jae-ha"
Opposition Claims "Political Retaliation Audit by Board of Audit" at Science and ICT Committee Hearing...Ruling Party Protests
Han Dong-hoon Emphasizes Response to 'Prosecutorial Reform' and Legitimacy of 'Restoration of Prosecutorial Authority'

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon attended the National Assembly's audit of the Ministry of Justice held on the 6th, submitted the oath statement to Kim Do-eup, Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and then turned away. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Oh Ju-yeon] On the 6th, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the text message controversy involving Yoo Byung-ho, Secretary General of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), during the National Assembly audit. Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, who appeared for the first time at the audit, stated, "Whether it is the National Assembly or the executive branch, we are public servants of the people, so this is a place to explain to the public," and pledged to respond sincerely while emphasizing the legitimacy of 'Geomsuwonbok' (restoration of prosecution's investigative authority) in response to 'Geomsuwanbak' (complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority).

At the Ministry of Justice audit held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 6th, Minister Han emphasized "a fair prosecution that properly does its job" during his work report and revealed, "To correct the unconstitutionality of the amended Prosecutors' Office Act and Criminal Procedure Act, we filed a constitutional dispute adjudication with the Constitutional Court and recently held a public hearing." The amended Prosecutors' Office Act and Criminal Procedure Act include the so-called 'Geomsuwanbak' provisions, and Minister Han personally attended the public hearing.

He also stated, "Within the delegated scope of the amended Prosecutors' Office Act, regulations on the scope of prosecution's investigation initiation were revised and implemented," emphasizing the legitimacy of the Ministry of Justice's 'Geomsuwonbok' (restoration of prosecution's investigative authority) in response to the Geomsuwanbak law, and revealed that the 'abolition of the Minister of Justice's investigative command authority,' which is also a pledge of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, is underway.

During the audit, the ruling and opposition parties engaged in a tense exchange over the text messages sent by Secretary General Yoo to Lee Gwan-seop, Senior Secretary for National Planning at the Presidential Office, the day before. Opposition members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a press conference before the audit, claiming that the messages sent by Secretary General Yoo to Lee were "key evidence showing that the BAI acted under the orders of the Presidential Office," demanding Yoo's dismissal and criminal investigation, as well as the resignation of Chairman Choi Jae-ha of the BAI.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Assemblyman Kim Nam-guk mentioned the BAI text message scandal during a procedural speech at the audit, saying, "The BAI claims it only responded with simple factual information, but sending the message before even sending the press release to a key figure in the Blue House sounds like reporting work to the Presidential Office," and added, "It is a constitutionally independent institution, but it seems the BAI's targeted investigation is effectively backed by the Presidential Office."

In response, Kim Do-eup, a member of the ruling People Power Party and chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, retorted, "Please restrain yourself," and said, "This is unrelated to today's audit," with fellow party member Kim Seong-won also protesting.

During the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee audit, an opposition member also mentioned the 'BAI text message controversy' during a procedural speech, drawing protests from ruling party members. Democratic Party member Jeong Pil-mo said, "Regarding the re-examination of general programming by the Korea Communications Commission, the National Assembly must verify the legality of the BAI's audit. The BAI is leading politically retaliatory audits," and added, "Regarding Secretary General Yoo's messages, the BAI's actions are inevitably suspicious, and in the same context, the Communications Commission audit is also suspected of having questionable purpose and intent." When ruling party whip Park Seong-jung and others protested, Science Committee Chair Jeong Cheong-rae asked Assemblyman Jeong to "please limit procedural speeches as much as possible."

Meanwhile, on this day, audits were conducted in eight standing committees including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Political Affairs Committee, Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, National Defense Committee, Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock Committee, Industry Committee, Health and Welfare Committee, and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee.