[2023 National Audit] Focused Questions on Interpretation Delays, Yellow Buses, and Investigation Guidelines at the Legislation Office Audit

During the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Ministry of Government Legislation, questions focused on the delay in the legal interpretation regarding the qualifications of Choi Min-hee, a former National Assembly member recommended by the Democratic Party of Korea, as a standing commissioner of the Korea Communications Commission, the Yellow Bus incident, and investigation guidelines related to the so-called "Geomsu Wanbak" (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority).

At the Ministry of Government Legislation audit held on the 19th, as soon as the audit began, Assemblyman Kwon Chil-seung of the Democratic Party obtained the opportunity to request document submission and asked Lee Wan-gyu, the head of the Ministry of Government Legislation, "You are currently conducting a suitability review for Choi Min-hee, the nominee for standing commissioner of the Korea Communications Commission, right?"

Lee replied, "It is not a suitability review but an examination to determine whether there are any disqualifications."

Lee Wankyu, Chief of the Ministry of Government Legislation, is responding to a lawmaker's question during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Ministry of Government Legislation on the 19th.

Then Assemblyman Kwon said, "It has been six months," and added, "The Ministry of Government Legislation is condoning and encouraging the abnormal operation of the Korea Communications Commission," and "Isn't the issue related to her work experience at the Korea Information Industry Association? It's a simple matter." He continued, "If it is not being deliberately neglected, then the Ministry of Government Legislation is simply incompetent."

He also requested the submission of minutes of internal discussions within the Ministry of Government Legislation regarding this matter.

Assemblyman Song Ki-heon of the Democratic Party also questioned, "Is it a matter that should take six months for legal interpretation related to the Korea Communications Commission commissioners?" When opposition party members continued their questioning, Lee apologized for the delay, saying, "I am sorry for the delay," and added, "It is difficult to specify the exact timing, but we will strive to proceed swiftly within this year."

During the audit, there were also numerous questions about the "Yellow Bus incident," which arose when the Ministry of Government Legislation issued a legal interpretation stating that children's school buses should be used instead of chartered buses for school field trips and other experiential learning activities.

Assemblyman Jo Jeong-hoon of the Transition Korea party said, "Regarding the Yellow Bus incident, the Ministry of Government Legislation issued a legal interpretation that only yellow buses could be used, and just before the field trip season, the police sent official documents causing schools to face liability for damages due to contract cancellations, and in some cases, students could not go on school trips because buses could not be secured."

He asked, "Isn't it true that the administrative service was terribly handled? From the citizens' perspective, it is understandable to be angry, right?"

Lee responded, "Legislation has been enacted to strengthen children's safety, and from the perspective of enhancing safety, it was interpreted that safety devices should be installed on buses used temporarily for experiential learning, so the legal interpretation was made accordingly," but he apologized for the confusion caused on the ground.

He added, "Along with the legal interpretation, we recommended to the police that regulatory relaxation on safety devices was necessary as a system improvement, but unfortunately, the announcement was made before the system improvement was implemented," and said, "In any case, I am sorry for not taking prompt action."

Regarding Assemblyman Park Beom-gye of the Democratic Party's claim that Lee might lose objectivity and balance in performing his duties due to his private connection as a university and Judicial Research and Training Institute classmate of President Yoon Seok-youl, Lee said, "It is a concern worth noting, and I am fully mindful of it in my work."

Lee also responded to Assemblyman Kim Eui-gyeom of the Democratic Party's claim that there are widespread rumors that Lee will be appointed as a Constitutional Court justice due to his private connection with President Yoon, saying, "I am not aware of that. You keep mentioning the friendship with the president, but I am not someone who cannot distinguish between public and private matters."

Assemblyman Park Beom-gye also questioned Lee about investigation guidelines during the supplementary questioning session at the end of the audit.

Assemblyman Park said that although the Constitutional Court ruled the so-called "Geomsu Wanbak" law constitutional, the Ministry of Justice amended the investigation guidelines to nullify it, calling it "a kind of trick."

However, Lee disagreed, saying, "I cannot agree with your point. The amended investigation guidelines were created according to the Criminal Procedure Act."

He emphasized, "It is natural for prosecutors to request supplementary investigations if they believe there is sufficient suspicion in cases that the police have decided not to prosecute, and it is rather in line with the purpose of the Criminal Procedure Act for the police to investigate when there is suspicion."

Meanwhile, during the audit, it was revealed that some members of the ruling People Power Party on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office regarding the trial assignment of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, causing a temporary commotion.

Assemblyman So Byung-chul of the Democratic Party asked Kim Do-eup, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, "While the committee meeting is ongoing, ruling party members have left and are holding a press conference. Could you tell me if the chairman was aware of this?"

He raised his voice, saying, "If you knew about it, how could you leave your seat during the National Assembly audit Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting and go to the Communication Office to hold a press conference? In my three years as a member of the National Assembly, this is truly the first time. I believe this violates the law."

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