Board of Audit and Inspection: "Jeon Hyun-hee involved in drawing conclusion on 'Choo Mi-ae's authoritative interpretation'... Discretion acknowledged"

Audit Board Releases Report on Public Officials' Duty Compliance
Warning Issued for Habitual Tardiness and Gapjil Offenders Writing Petitions
Audits Conducted Based on Internal and External Reports... Not Intended for Resignation Purposes

On the 9th, the Board of Audit and Inspection stated that it is "difficult to conclude that there was an abuse or deviation of discretion" regarding former Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee's issuance of a legal interpretation related to allegations of military favoritism involving the son of then Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae in 2020, and her subsequent responses to the National Assembly and the media.

On the same day, the Board of Audit and Inspection released an audit report titled 'Inspection of Public Officials' Duty Management Practices' and stated that it "does not require any separate disciplinary action" concerning the matter. Although the report acknowledges the fact that the legal interpretation was entirely judged by the staff, as stated in the ACRC press release and Chairperson Jeon's explanations to the National Assembly after the decision, it indicates that it is difficult to raise issues over this.

The Board of Audit and Inspection began an on-site audit in late July last year after receiving 13 reports related to Chairperson Jeon's duty performance and has conducted investigations for about 10 months until recently.

Regarding reports of habitual tardiness and non-compliance with working hours, the Board decided not to impose separate disciplinary measures. The audit revealed that out of 89 days classified as working days at the Sejong Government Complex from July 2020, shortly after Chairperson Jeon's appointment, to July 2021, she arrived after 9 a.m. on 83 days. The Board stated, "While this is not appropriate conduct, considering that for heads of institutions the distinction between workplace and business trip locations and the concept of commuting hours are not clearly established, the results of Chairperson Jeon's working hours inspection will be recorded as is in the report, but no separate disciplinary action will be requested."

The Board criticized Chairperson Jeon for signing a petition submitted to the Government Appeals Committee, requesting leniency for an ACRC director who was disciplined in 2021 for abusing employees, stating, "Even if some victims voluntarily submitted the petition, Chairperson Jeon was both the disciplinary authority over the director and the personnel authority over the victims," and added, "As the head of the ministry responsible for eradicating abuse of power, this is not considered appropriate conduct." The Board urged Chairperson Jeon to "be cautious to prevent secondary harm to abuse victims caused by such actions."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding Chairperson Jeon's executive secretary, who was found to have obstructed the investigation by submitting a falsified luncheon plan inflating the number of attendees and fraudulently received 7,281,657 KRW in travel expenses using forged and altered receipts, the Board requested a dismissal-level disciplinary action, stating, "The severity of the misconduct and the intentionality of the acts are recognized."

However, the Board reported that the remaining seven cases?including allegations of operating a law office under a false name, improper execution of official residence water bills, private use of hanbok purchased with budget funds, and undue delay in handling a high-profile figure's Anti-Graft Act report?showed "no particular problems."

In an unusual statement, the Board clarified, "This audit targeting the ACRC and related entities was initiated based on internal and external reports and was not undertaken with the purpose of forcing any individual to resign," adding, "It fundamentally differs from the so-called 'Ministry of Environment Blacklist' audit in terms of purpose, motivation, investigation methods, and grounds for initiation." Previously, Chairperson Jeon claimed that the audit was similar to the 'Ministry of Environment Blacklist' case, alleging that former ACRC Vice Chairperson Lee Jeong-hee resigned due to pressure exerted by the Minister of Environment.

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