Ruling and Opposition Clash Over Board of Audit and Inspection... 'Recess' Just 10 Minutes After National Audit Begins

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the National Assembly's audit countermeasure meeting held on the 11th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Oh Ju-yeon] As the regular National Assembly session entered the second week of the state audit on the 11th, the ruling and opposition parties sharply clashed over the Board of Legislation and Judiciary's audit of the Board of Audit and Inspection. The opposition claimed that the text messages sent by Yoo Byung-ho, Secretary General of the Board of Audit and Inspection, to Lee Gwan-seop, Senior Secretary for National Planning at the Presidential Office, were politically motivated oppression led by the Presidential Office, while the ruling party countered that the opposition was turning current issues into political strife.

On this day, the judiciary committee's state audit was suspended less than 10 minutes after it began, as the ruling and opposition parties engaged in a tense exchange following a request for a procedural statement by the opposition side. Kim Do-eup, chairman of the judiciary committee, responded, "Make procedural statements after the business report." Although 31 witnesses were scheduled to appear, only 20, including Choi Jae-hae, head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, entered the audit hall to comply with quarantine rules. The Democratic Party appears to have requested a procedural statement in protest of this.

Outside the audit hall, there was also a fierce power struggle between the ruling and opposition parties. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the morning audit countermeasure meeting, "Even if the opposition drives all current issues into political strife, please faithfully focus on policy," adding, "We will make this audit a fair and just audit that fulfills the legislative branch's oversight role, a livelihood audit, an open audit with public participation and communication, and a dignified audit trusted by the people."

Assemblyman Jeong Jeom-sik pointed out, "On the 6th, the Democratic Party caused a breakdown by making an issue of the Board of Audit and Inspection's written investigation of former President Moon Jae-in and engaging in political strife and unreasonable offensives," adding, "Yesterday, the Democratic Party held a press conference without apologizing for the audit breakdown, showing an arrogant attitude demanding unreasonable requests that undermine the independence of the Board of Audit and Inspection."

He then said, "We condemn the act of distorting and making unreasonable claims about the text messages between the Presidential Office and the Board of Audit and Inspection," and requested the Democratic Party to "stop indiscriminate political offensives and join the livelihood audit."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On this day, the Democratic Party strongly raised suspicions of political oppression by the Board of Audit and Inspection and announced plans to file complaints against those responsible. Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the morning audit countermeasure meeting, "The reality of the 'Daegam (Presidential Office-Board of Audit and Inspection) Gate,' which was led from the front and pushed from behind, has become very clear as political oppression targeting the previous administration," adding, "Nevertheless, the Presidential Office and the Board of Audit and Inspection are busy evading explanations. They must immediately disclose all phone calls and text message records exchanged between the senior secretary and Secretary General Yoo." He continued, "The Democratic Party sternly demands a thorough investigation into the illegal collusion between the Presidential Office and the Board of Audit and Inspection in the Daegam Gate and the punishment of those responsible," emphasizing, "If they continue to suppress the truth, we will not stand by," and declared that Choi Jae-hae, Secretary General Yoo, and Senior Secretary Lee would all be reported to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials.

Jeong Cheong-rae, senior supreme council member of the Democratic Party, also appeared on KBS Radio that day and said regarding the possibility of a 'party-level complaint,' "The final decision will be made after a meeting, but in any case, since there appear to be illegal matters, a serious audit of the Board of Audit and Inspection should be considered." Additionally, the Democratic Party expanded its offensive by claiming that the Board of Audit and Inspection had obtained railway usage records from the civilian period of former government officials pressured to resign by the ruling party, such as Kim Je-nam, chairman of the Korea Nuclear Safety Foundation, and Lee Ju-min, chairman of the Road Traffic Authority, raising suspicions of 'civilian surveillance.'

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