Audit on Hundreds of Billions in Party Subsidies... Han Dong-hoon Says "If Tax Money Is Involved, It Should Be Audited"

Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, stated on the 3rd that "there must be a transparent audit process in any form" regarding the government subsidies provided to political parties.

Minister Han made this remark during a government questioning session on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly that day, responding to Rep. Cho Kyung-tae of the People Power Party's point that transparency should be enhanced for government subsidies. He said, "In principle, government subsidies funded by taxes are subject to audits."

Rep. Cho said, "In countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, only election subsidies are provided, and in about 50 countries including Italy, Switzerland, and Singapore, there are no government subsidies for political parties at all," adding, "I believe transparency should be improved for these government subsidies to political parties, which amount to hundreds of billions of won annually."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Han commented on the Constitutional Court's ruling on the Criminal Procedure Act and related bills that reduce the prosecution's investigative authority (known as Geomsu Wanbak, the complete removal of prosecution's investigative rights), saying, "I think it is a problematic decision, but I respect it and will enforce the law in accordance with its intent."

In response to a question from Rep. Kim Hoe-jae of the Democratic Party about his stance on the Constitutional Court's decision, Minister Han said, "As a legal professional, I can make a judgment on the decision. Many citizens criticize the Constitutional Court's ruling, and I share the same view," but added the above statement.

When asked about the apparent conflict between the Criminal Procedure Act and its enforcement decree, both recognized as effective by the Constitutional Court, he replied, "The enforcement decree is a lawful decree based on the delegation of the law," and questioned, "Why should it be reversed?"