Asan City Files Criminal Complaint Against Former Policy Advisor for Unauthorized Disclosure of Audit Materials

Suspected Violations of Duty to Maintain Confidentiality

On May 27, Asan City in South Chungcheong Province announced that it had filed a criminal complaint against former policy advisor A for allegedly disclosing internal audit materials to external parties.

The city's audit committee reported A to the Asan Police Station on charges of violating Article 127 of the Criminal Act (Disclosure of Official Secrets), Article 52 of the Local Public Officials Act (Duty to Maintain Confidentiality), and Article 4 of the Asan City Public Officials Service Ordinance (Duty to Maintain Confidentiality).

According to the city, A is accused of unlawfully leaking internal audit materials obtained while serving as a policy advisor and disclosing them at two press conferences held in January and March.

Kim Jeomgyun, chairperson of the Asan City Audit Committee, explained, "According to the press release, there was a press conference using confidential audit materials ahead of the election, and given the potential for disclosure of official secrets, we decided to proceed with the complaint."

Regarding this matter, A told our publication in a phone call, "I learned about the complaint through media reports," and added, "It is difficult to make a statement on such short notice."