Investigation Launched into Allegations of Targeted Audit Against Jeon Hyun-hee
Jeon: "When Returning the Fire Arrow... Respect to the Corruption Investigation Office Investigators"
The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HOCI) is conducting a search and seizure at the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) on the 6th, investigating allegations of a 'targeted audit' against former Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee. Former Chairperson Jeon stated, "The time has come to turn the hundred thousand fire arrows I have prepared back on the criminals."
On the same day, Jeon posted on Facebook, "HOCI has started a sudden search and seizure of the BAI and ACRC from today. Now, the counterattack begins!"
She continued, "Despite public criticism asking what we have been doing all this time, I pay my respects to the HOCI special investigation team prosecutors and investigators who have quietly but thoroughly conducted investigations and collected evidence, leading to a sudden enforcement action. Unlike the prosecution, HOCI maintains strict confidentiality. They do not leak suspect information and play games like the prosecution does," she added.
Jeon Hyun-hee, former Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The HOCI Special Investigation Headquarters (led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan) announced that on the morning of the same day, prosecutors and investigators were dispatched to the BAI in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and the ACRC at the Government Sejong Complex to proceed with procedures to secure related materials.
Previously, the BAI conducted a special audit on the ACRC last August to September, covering more than ten items including allegations of negligence by former Chairperson Jeon. In the audit report released in June, the BAI stated that former Chairperson Jeon engaged in inappropriate behavior such as signing a petition seeking leniency for an ACRC director who was disciplined for abusing power over staff, and that she arrived at work after 9 a.m. on 83 out of 89 days she worked at the Sejong Complex.
In October of last year, the BAI also requested a prosecution investigation on charges of abuse of authority, reporting that former Chairperson Jeon had inappropriately intervened in the ACRC’s authoritative interpretation process regarding allegations of military preferential treatment involving the son of then Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae in 2020.
In response, former Chairperson Jeon claimed that the BAI conducted a targeted audit with the purpose of ousting her and filed complaints against BAI Chairman Choi Jae-hae, Secretary General Yoo Byung-ho, and a senior ACRC official identified as Mr. A for abuse of authority and obstruction of rights. Mr. A was identified as the person who reported allegations related to former Chairperson Jeon to the BAI. Jeon requested a re-examination from the BAI on June 27, the last day of her term, before stepping down.
Meanwhile, HOCI plans to summon and investigate Chairman Choi, Secretary General Yoo, and other related officials once the analysis of the seized materials is completed.
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