Presidential Office Abolishes Policy Audits by Board of Audit and Inspection... Minimizes Prosecutorial Investigations into Abuse of Authority

Expanded Promotions and Rewards for High-Performing Civil Servants...
To Be Reflected in Next Year's Budget

Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff to the President (left), is giving a briefing on the 24th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul regarding the senior secretaries and aides meeting held that day. To the right of Chief Kang is Bong Wook, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, who is attending the briefing. Photo by Yonhap News

The Presidential Office has decided to abolish policy audits by the Board of Audit and Inspection and to refrain from prosecutorial investigations into abuse of authority. This measure is intended to prevent civil servants from suffering damages due to audits and investigations whenever there is a change of administration. Additionally, the government plans to create a "working atmosphere" by providing incentives such as expanded promotions and rewards for civil servants who achieve results.

On July 24, Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoonshik stated during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office, "President Lee Jaemyung has instructed that the organizational culture and systems be improved so that civil servants can work creatively and proactively." President Lee, while presiding over a meeting of senior aides that day, pointed out, "Even reasonable and necessary administrative actions frequently become the subject of excessive policy audits and investigations," and emphasized, "The public sector has often remained passive and reluctant, but now this must come to an end."

Accordingly, Chief Secretary Kang said, "We will block the negative effects of excessive policy audits and revitalize proactive administration." He explained that excessive audits during government transitions have caused the public sector to become intimidated and rigid, and that this vicious cycle must be broken. In particular, President Lee has decided not to conduct policy audits related to policies promoted or implemented by former President Yoon Sukyeol.

Boonguk, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Presidential Office, is answering reporters' questions after a briefing by Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff to the President, at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News

The law regarding prosecutorial investigations into abuse of authority will be revised to prevent its misuse. Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Bong Wook explained, "In the past, the crime of abuse of authority was interpreted very strictly, but it has been applied broadly, resulting in many civil servants being investigated," and "there have been a considerable number of acquittals during trials." He added, "Taking these points into consideration, we will review foreign legislative examples and proceed with legislative measures to clarify and narrow the requirements for the crime of abuse of authority."

Expanded Promotions and Rewards for High-Performing Civil Servants…To Be Reflected in Next Year's Budget

On the other hand, opportunities for promotion and rewards will be expanded for civil servants who perform well. The Presidential Office announced that any additional necessary funding will be coordinated with relevant ministries and included in next year's budget proposal.

Additionally, the government will improve the treatment of civil servants in areas such as civil complaints, disaster response, safety, and junior military officers. These departments and occupational groups often face high workloads and significant responsibility in the event of an incident, leading many to avoid such roles in the public sector. The current duty system, which requires 24-hour office shifts, is also considered inefficient and will be completely overhauled. Alongside these measures, the government aims to improve its working methods and culture with the goal of a national transformation through artificial intelligence (AI).

However, Chief Secretary Kang stated, "We will take strict action against clear misconduct, such as corruption or human rights violations by civil servants."

Meanwhile, to ensure smooth policy implementation, the Presidential Office will establish a task force (TF) led by the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, with participation from the Office of the Secretary for Fiscal Planning, the Office of the Secretary for Balanced Personnel System, the Office of the Secretary for Personnel, the Office of the Secretary for Local Development, the Office of the Secretary for Public Service Discipline, and the Office of the Secretary for Judicial System.