[2022 National Audit] Delayed Legal Affairs Committee, Ruling and Opposition Clash Over 'Kim Gun-hee Special Investigation' and 'Board of Audit Written Inquiry Notification'

"Only Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor is the Answer" vs "Notification of Written Investigation for Former President Moon, Also Conducted for Former Presidents"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit, which briefly faced disruption on the morning of the 4th over the issue of the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation notice to former President Moon Jae-in, convened about 50 minutes later than originally scheduled. The committee hearing, which only began after lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties removed placards from their desks, saw heated exchanges over the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Act' and the 'Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation notice.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the audit that started around 11 a.m., Democratic Party lawmaker Ki Dong-min launched an attack, saying, "Among the issues pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Kim Geon-hee special investigation law is still pending." Ki asked, "How many accomplices in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case have been arrested and are on trial? However, Mrs. Kim has never been summoned even once. Is this the minimum fairness, common sense, and principle that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration talks about?" He added, "This is absolutely unacceptable," emphasizing, "Only a special investigation is the answer."

Lawmaker Kwon Chil-seung also criticized, saying, "Right after the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, the Board of Audit and Inspection publicly declared itself as a government support agency. To be precise, a henchman." He pointed out the Board's move to target former President Moon, stating, "Finally, they have aimed their sword at former President Moon. They say they will investigate the West Sea civil servant killing incident," raising concerns over the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation notice to former President Moon.

However, the People Power Party fiercely criticized former President Moon for refusing the written investigation. People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Jeom-sik countered, "The Democratic Party claims political oppression, but the Board of Audit and Inspection also conducted written investigations on former President Roh Tae-woo in 1993."

He further explained, "In 1998, a written investigation was conducted on former President Kim Young-sam regarding the foreign exchange crisis; in 2017, on former President Lee Myung-bak concerning the Four Major Rivers Project; and in 2018, a confidential written investigation was conducted on former President Park Geun-hye related to national defense."

The morning audit was adjourned, but the exchanges continued when the audit resumed at 2 p.m.

People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye asked Kim Sang-hwan, Chief of the Court Administration Office, "There is a former president who angrily said the written investigation request was 'rude.' Rather than calling it 'rude,' I think it should be sincerely requested." She questioned, "Are you willing to advise former President Moon in that way?"

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