Legislation Committee Audit Set for Oct. 13-31... Opposition: "Received Plan Today" vs Ruling Party: "Sent on 19th"

Vote Held at Legislation and Judiciary Committee Plenary Session
Na: "Regret Over Lack of Agreement" vs Chu: "Apologize First for Violating the Advancement Act"

The Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly, led by the ruling party, decided on September 24 to conduct a 19-day government audit from October 13 to 31.

On the afternoon of the same day, the committee held a plenary meeting and finalized the adoption of the government audit plan through a vote. Although Assembly members Cho Baesook and Shin Dongwook from the People Power Party raised objections, the schedule was approved by a show of hands, with 11 in favor and 5 against out of 16 members present.

According to the government audit plan confirmed that day, 79 agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, will be audited from October 13 to 31, and on the final day, October 31, a comprehensive audit will be conducted for all agencies under the committee’s jurisdiction. The agenda item regarding the attendance of witnesses and references for the audit will be reviewed later for further discussion.

The People Power Party objected during the plenary meeting, citing the absence of an opposition secretary and the lack of consensus on the adoption of the government audit plan. The meeting was adjourned once after about 40 minutes of debate between the ruling and opposition parties.

Na Kyungwon, who was rejected as the opposition secretary, stated, "I only received the government audit plan here today," and added, "The audit plan should be agreed upon by both the ruling and opposition parties first, but since the committee has not been normalized, it is regrettable that it was submitted without any of this process. This is essentially being railroaded through."

She continued, "It would be better to separate the dates and agencies for the audit," and demanded, "Please resolve the issue of appointing the secretary and refrain from revoking speaking rights in the future."

Independent lawmaker Choi Hyukjin said, "I have repeatedly stated that Assemblywoman Na is not qualified to be a secretary or even a committee member, primarily due to a conflict of interest. Her husband is currently the chief judge of Chuncheon District Court," and added, "I am deeply angered by her use of the term 'railroaded,' which is completely inappropriate."

In response, Kwon Kyutaek of the People Power Party pointed out, "Assemblyman Choi talks about conflicts of interest, but isn’t it also a conflict when someone who defended President Lee Jaemyung in the Daejang-dong case now wants to conduct an audit at the court handling that case? Where else would you find such a conflict of interest?" He also argued regarding the audit plan, "This is a one-sided audit that gathers agencies from the provinces as if for publicity."

Park Kyuntaek of the Democratic Party of Korea countered, "Many public officials from Sejong City visit the National Assembly to answer questions, submit materials, and explain pending issues. Why, then, should the heads of courts and prosecutors' offices not come to the National Assembly?"

On the 24th, at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly, Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae is striking the gavel. 2025.9.24 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Chairwoman Chu also addressed the rejection of Na Kyungwon as the opposition secretary, stating, "It was due to a violation of the National Assembly Advancement Act," and requested, "Please consult within your party and recommend someone who is qualified for the secretary position."

She further explained, "The administrative office sent the government audit schedule to all committee members at 5:25 p.m. on the 19th, and the sent email is marked as 'read.'" Assemblywoman Na countered, "You only gave us a calendar of dates, not the actual plan."

Shin Dongwook of the People Power Party criticized, "The committee has become even more chaotic since Chairwoman Chu took over. She is rumored to be leaving for another position next year, and the committee has been turned into a political business stage for the ruling party."

Cho Baesook, also from the same party, remarked, "We do not support the imposition of martial law, but it is oppressive to keep bringing up insurrection with such leaps in logic and to object to every single issue."