Outgoing Jeon Hyun-hee "Yoon Administration Must Serve the People"... Suggests Political Move

"Opposing Fukushima Contaminated Water Is the Duty of Politicians"

Jeon Hyun-hee, the outgoing Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, stating that it is a fundamental principle to complete her term and that the government should serve the people. She also hinted at her future political activities, emphasizing her commitment to preventing the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water.

On the morning of the 26th, Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, who is one day away from retirement, expressed her thoughts on retirement at a press conference held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 26th, Chairperson Jeon held a press conference at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, saying, "My term expires the next day, and completing the term is a fundamental principle of democracy and the rule of law." She added, "Of course, the public may feel some shortcomings, but I am confident that I have done my best in fulfilling the role of Chairperson." Jeon, the last minister-level appointee of the Moon Jae-in administration, will complete her full three-year term and retire the following day.

She then criticized the Yoon administration. Chairperson Jeon said, "There is public concern that the government is becoming one by the powerful, for the powerful, and of the powerful." She added, "I hope the government becomes one that serves the people, not the powerful." Regarding the Ministry of Education, which became the subject of a service audit due to the 'killer questions' in the recent College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) mock exam, Jeon criticized, "It is not right for the Board of Audit and Inspection to undermine its neutrality by acting as a vanguard for resignation rather than conducting audits as prescribed by law."

The Board of Audit and Inspection conducted an audit on Chairperson Jeon's habitual tardiness allegations and announced the results of the 'Inspection of Public Officials' Service Management' audit on the 9th. Although the Board decided not to impose separate disciplinary actions for habitual tardiness, it revealed that out of 89 days Jeon commuted to Sejong City from July 2020 to July 2021, she arrived after 9 a.m. on 83 days. Chairperson Jeon labeled this a 'targeted audit' and filed complaints against Board Chairman Choi Jae-hae, Secretary-General Yoo Byung-ho, and Public Official Inspection Headquarters Chief Kim Young-shin with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

Chairperson Jeon stated, "The Board of Audit and Inspection's audit is unjust and unfair by my standards." She added, "Through this process, the misuse of public systems for private gain must be addressed, and those who committed illegal acts should be held legally accountable."

She also hinted at her future political path. Chairperson Jeon said, "I have been very exhausted and in poor health, so I want to rest," but added, "I proudly identify myself as a 'daughter of the sea.' Recently, I have felt a sense of crisis over the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water and have a mission to prevent environmental damage." Furthermore, she stated, "A responsible politician should immediately demand Japan to stop discharging nuclear-contaminated water and seek alternatives such as solidification." She concluded, "It is the duty of all public officials and politicians to raise their voices in absolute opposition to nuclear-contaminated water discharge."

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