[2025 Audit] Choi Jaehae Says "Active Audit Review if Needed for NIRS Fire" (Comprehensive)

Regarding the Call for Special Inspection of the Official's Death During Special Prosecutor's Investigation:
"Not Subject to Work Inspection"
On Yoo Byungho's Use of Special Activity Funds During the Yoon Administration:
"Will Verify Compliance with Internal Standards"

Choi Jaehae, Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, stated regarding the administrative network paralysis caused by the National Information Resources Service (NIRS) fire, "If necessary, we will actively consider conducting an audit."

Yonhap News Agency

Chairman Choi made this remark on October 16 during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit of the Board of Audit and Inspection, in response to a suggestion by Song Seokjun, a member of the People Power Party, that an audit is needed regarding the network paralysis incident.

However, regarding Song's claim that a special inspection is also needed in the case of a Yangpyeong County official's death during the investigation by the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor's team, Choi replied, "Investigative actions by the special prosecutor are excluded from our internal rules for work inspection," adding, "It is difficult."

Chairman Choi, whose term ends in November, was asked by Cho Baesook, a member of the People Power Party, to share his thoughts. He said, "Looking back four years, I felt pride as the first chairman to come from within the Board of Audit and Inspection, but I also felt the heavy weight of responsibility." He added, "Since all my juniors are watching, I felt a strong sense of duty to finish well." Chairman Choi will retire on November 12.

Regarding criticism from Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Gipyo and others that Yoo Byungho, a Board of Audit and Inspection member known as a key figure during the Yoon Sukyeol administration, spent more special activity funds than the chairman, Choi stated, "Since there have been several issues raised, I will make sure to verify whether the expenditures were made according to internal standards and report back."

When Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sungyun asked whether he had been investigated by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), Choi replied, "Not yet." When Lee commented, "You still haven't been detained," Choi said, "Now that the date has been coordinated, I will go for the investigation soon." Last month, the CIO notified Chairman Choi, who is under suspicion of conducting "targeted audits," to appear for questioning as a suspect.

In addition, when Park Kyuntaek, a member of the Democratic Party, asked if he had any regrets about his work at the Board of Audit and Inspection, Choi replied, "There were some disappointing aspects, but not to the extent of regret." Chairman Choi was impeached by the National Assembly in December last year over allegations of inadequate and targeted audits, but he returned to work in March after the Constitutional Court dismissed the case.