Seoul Citizen Audit Ombudsman Committee Completes Four Cases Including Citizen Audits

Administrative Improvements through Recommendations for System Reform

The Seoul Metropolitan Government Citizen Audit Ombudsman Committee announced on the 3rd that since the launch of the 3rd committee last May, it has completed a total of four audits, including three citizen audits and one ex officio audit, and decided on 12 dispositions (1 corrective action request, 1 department warning, 2 department cautions, 5 recommendations, and 3 notifications). Additionally, five more citizen and resident audit requests were received; however, three citizen audits were dismissed due to reasons such as administrative appeals and mediation procedures by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and two resident audits were terminated because the petitioners’ lists were not submitted.

Examples of corrections and improvements made through the four audits completed by the 3rd Citizen Audit Ombudsman Committee last year are as follows.

First, regarding the citizen audit results on the construction of public-supported private rental housing in Sangye-dong, Nowon-gu, the committee 'recommended' that the relevant department’s integrated review committee guide the local education office and project implementer on the results of the educational environment evaluation review and approval procedures. It also 'notified' Nowon-gu to verify the department’s follow-up on whether the project implementer is properly carrying out the project.

Next, concerning the citizen audit results on the urban regeneration activation plan establishment service around Hyochang Park, the committee found that the relevant department was somewhat negligent in managing monthly progress reports during the service execution and that supervision of the general coordinator was inadequate. Therefore, the department was given a 'department caution' to ensure proper supervision in the future, and the improvement of the on-site support center’s supervisory system was 'recommended.'

Additionally, the ex officio audit results on the bidding for the odor emission facility status investigation service in Seoul revealed procedural deficiencies in operating the proposal evaluation committee by the relevant department. The department was given a 'department caution' to handle tasks in accordance with regulations and announcements going forward.

Lastly, regarding the citizen audit results on the selection of support targets for the work environment improvement project for clothing manufacturers, the committee issued a 'department warning' due to the failure to review members’ disqualification, avoidance, and recusal during the subsidy management committee meetings. It also 'recommended' that the department prepare improvement measures for the selection criteria of support targets for medical manufacturers’ work environment improvement projects and make active efforts for information disclosure to guarantee citizens’ right to know and to ensure administrative participation and transparency.

Detailed audit results and information on citizen and resident audit request targets and requirements can be found on the Seoul Metropolitan Government Citizen Audit Ombudsman Committee website under Audit Requests → Citizen, Resident, and Ex Officio Audits. Information related to audit requests is also available by phone.

When the audited institution reports the results of its actions, the Citizen Audit Ombudsman Committee sends the results to the representative of the petitioner and surveys the petitioner’s satisfaction with the audit results. Notably, the citizen audit on the construction of public-supported private rental housing in Sangye-dong, Nowon-gu, received a perfect score of 5 out of 5 in the satisfaction survey, confirming that the audit contributes to the relief and protection of citizens’ rights and interests.

Furthermore, to enhance the reliability of audits and significantly improve citizen satisfaction, since July last year, the committee has actively utilized the 'Legal Advisory Group' (47 members: 37 lawyers and 10 law professors, etc.) appointed in three rounds. This group will provide professional and prompt legal reviews on complex issues during audit execution.

Juyonghak, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Citizen Audit Ombudsman Committee, expressed his determination by stating, “At the point when the Citizen Audit Ombudsman Committee is making its second leap forward, we will do our best as an independent collegial administrative body to monitor corrections from the citizens’ perspective and protect citizens’ rights so that no single citizen suffers injustice.” He added, “We will increase citizens’ trust through swift and accurate audits and enhance satisfaction by strengthening communication with audit petitioners.”