Internal Resistance to Audit Request by Board of Audit and Inspection... "Somehow Clumsy"

<원내지도부, 전일 감사원 찾아 부동산 투기 전수조사 공식 의뢰> The Party Leadership Officially Requests Comprehensive Real Estate Speculation Investigation at the Board of Audit Visit Yesterday

People's Power floor spokesperson Jeon Ju-hye (from left), floor deputy leader Chu Kyung-ho, and floor spokesperson Kang Min-guk visited the Board of Audit and Inspection in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 9th to request a full investigation into real estate speculation by People's Power members of the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Internal backlash is emerging within the People Power Party regarding their request for a full-scale real estate investigation to the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI).

On the 10th, Jang Je-won, a People Power Party lawmaker, stated on Facebook, "The People Power Party insisting on undergoing a full-scale investigation by the BAI somehow looks awkward."

The previous day, Choo Kyung-ho, the party's floor leader, along with Kang Min-kook and Jeon Ju-hye, the party's floor spokespersons, officially requested the BAI to conduct a full-scale investigation into real estate speculation by visiting the BAI office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This was due to distrust in the fairness of the police and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC). Ahn Hyun-hee, the head of the ACRC, is a former Democratic Party lawmaker. However, according to the BAI Act, public officials affiliated with the National Assembly are excluded from the scope of duty inspections.

Regarding this, Lawmaker Jang said, "Many lawmakers say no, but it seems the party leadership is being stubborn, so I want to say a word," criticizing, "Is the BAI a subordinate agency of the People Power Party, or does the political circle think the BAI is a subcontractor that does work not even stipulated by law when requested?"

He added, "There is a reasonable aspect to the decision not to entrust the investigation to the ACRC, headed by former Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Hyun-hee. However, deciding to request an investigation from the BAI is a mistake," emphasizing, "They could entrust it to civic groups like the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice or the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, or request a full-scale investigation through the Korean Bar Association."

He continued, "I urge the party leadership to promptly withdraw the request for the BAI investigation and take reasonable measures so that lawmakers can undergo a full-scale investigation into real estate speculation as soon as possible."

Lawmaker Kim Tae-ho also expressed the view that another institution should be considered instead of the BAI. Kim said, "What we need to show the public is a firm will to undergo a more rigorous investigation than the ruling party," adding, "If the BAI refuses, we must find another place. We need to respond like lightning."

There was even an opinion to entrust the full-scale investigation to the ACRC. Five-term lawmaker Jeong Jin-seok wrote on Facebook that day, "I think the People Power Party should also undergo the ACRC's real estate verification with pride and confidence."

The People Power Party leadership plans to wait until the BAI's official stance is announced. Party spokesperson Bae Jun-young said, "Once the BAI's official position is released, we will respond accurately at that time," and added, "The People Power Party will undergo a thorough and transparent full-scale investigation and be verified before the public."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.