Conflict between Anti-Corruption and Audit Agency and Board of Audit in Audit Announcement... Jeon Hyun-hee "Will Take Legal Action"

Election Commission Audit Also Expected to Clash
Jeon Hyun-hee: "Secretary General Yoo Byung-ho Must Be Excluded from Duties"

Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, has taken a confrontational stance against the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), which issued an audit report alleging negligence at work, stating that she will take legal action. She claims the audit results have procedural flaws, such as not summoning employees as witnesses. Additionally, regarding the Central Election Commission (CEC), which is embroiled in allegations of preferential hiring of children, she requested the suspension of duties of Yoo Byung-ho, Secretary General of the BAI.

On the morning of the 12th, Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, held a press conference at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to announce the position regarding the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit of the Commission.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 12th, Chairperson Jeon held a press conference at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "This was an illegal and targeted attendance audit applied only to the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission," and added, "We will take strong legal action against Secretary General Yoo and those involved in the BAI."

This press conference was held as a rebuttal to the audit results announced by the BAI on the 9th, which targeted Chairperson Jeon and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission regarding the 'Inspection of Public Officials' Attendance Management and Other Matters.' The BAI conducted audits on allegations of habitual tardiness by Chairperson Jeon and suspicions of interference in the legal interpretation related to the preferential military service of the son of former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. Out of 13 cases, six received institutional caution, and seven found no issues. However, the Audit Committee decided to specify fraudulent acts in the audit report, citing that "some actions were inappropriate."

Chairperson Jeon holds the position that including fraudulent acts in the report without holding anyone accountable constitutes malicious defamation by stating false facts. She said, "All issues concerning the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission were decided to be without illegality or unfairness, effectively a non-prosecution decision by the prosecution," and added, "Claiming non-compliance with working hours based solely on indirect evidence such as train usage records and vehicle operation logs, without ever conducting witness investigations of employees who know my attendance well, is a clear fabrication."

Furthermore, Chairperson Jeon stated, "I request a parliamentary audit or hearing on the BAI Secretariat for ignoring the Audit Committee's resolution and unilaterally preparing and disclosing the audit report, thereby disregarding the constitutional procedures of the BAI, a constitutional institution," and added, "Audit Chief Choi Jae-ha should resign voluntarily, and Secretary General Yoo, who included illegal and fabricated audit results and disrupted constitutional order, should be dismissed."

The audit on the CEC to be conducted by the BAI is expected to face difficulties. While the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has already initiated a full investigation targeting the CEC, the BAI has also decided to proceed with an audit. Although the BAI has expressed willingness to cooperate amid concerns about overlapping work, there are worries that the investigation and audit may not proceed smoothly. Chairperson Jeon said, "Secretary General Yoo, who is involved in the fabricated audit, should recuse himself from the CEC audit to ensure fairness," and added, "In that case, the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission will also take a leave of absence to prevent political neutrality controversies regarding the Commission's investigation."

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