Prosecutors' Office and Anti-Corruption Commission 'Targeted Audit' Controversy: Investigation Assigned to Choi Jae-hae and Yoo Byung-ho Division 1

Choi Jae-hae, Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 29th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) has launched an investigation into Choi Jae-hae, Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and Yoo Byung-ho, Secretary General of the Board of Audit and Inspection, who were reported on charges including abuse of authority.

On the 30th, the PCC assigned the case involving Chairman Choi and Secretary General Yoo, who were reported on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of rights and threats, to Investigation Division 1 (Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan acting as head).

Earlier, the Democratic Party had reported Chairman Choi and Secretary General Yoo to the PCC on the 26th.

The Democratic Party claimed, "The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission had already undergone a regular audit in 2021, so it was not subject to a regular audit. However, under the pretext of a special audit, a broad audit was conducted during which various materials were submitted, and especially materials related to administrative appeals, which are outside the audit authority, were also submitted, constituting an abuse of authority by forcing unnecessary tasks."

They also explained the reason for the report, stating, "Groundless attendance issues were spread about Chairwoman Jeon Hyun-hee, damaging her reputation, and mental threats were made as if disadvantages would be imposed on affiliated staff if she did not resign."

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