Gyeonggi-do to Transition 'Audit Officer → Audit Committee' in First Half of This Year... Enhancing Independence

Gyeonggi Province is strengthening audit independence by changing the 'Auditor' under the Administrative Deputy Governor to the 'Audit Committee,' a collegial body directly under the Governor.

On the 4th, Gyeonggi Province announced the legislative notice of the "Ordinance on the Composition and Operation of the Gyeonggi Province Audit Committee" reflecting this change.

According to the ordinance, the Audit Committee will be composed of between 3 and 7 members, including one chairperson.

The chairperson is an open position (civil servants are also eligible) appointed by the Governor, and the members are appointed by the Governor from civilians, with two members recommended by the Provincial Council. The term of office for members is two years, with the possibility of one reappointment.

The Audit Committee deliberates and resolves matters related to audit policies, major audit plans, and requests for disciplinary and corrective actions.

The Audit Committee will also establish and operate a new "Audit Rights Protection Officer" system to support public officials under audit who apply for exemption from active administration or raise objections regarding audit findings.

A Gyeonggi Province official stated, "The Audit Committee system is designed to complement the drawbacks of the existing single-decision system, where decisions are made under the responsibility of one top decision-maker," adding, "We plan to enhance the democracy and independence of audits through revitalizing citizen participation."

Currently, among the 17 metropolitan local governments nationwide, 10, including Seoul and Busan, have adopted the Audit Committee system. Most of these Audit Committees consist of seven members.

Gyeonggi Province plans to submit the ordinance to the Provincial Council's extraordinary session next month and implement it in the first half of the year once approved by the council.

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