[Preview of the Audit] The Biggest Issue Is 'Government Network Paralysis'... Prosecution Reform and Korea-U.S. Customs Also in Focus

Current Issues Linked to Chuseok Livelihood Agendas
Settlement, Reform, and Industrial Accidents Also in the Spotlight
Sharp Questioning Expected from Both Parties on Korea-U.S. Customs Issues

Editor's NoteImmediately after the Chuseok holiday, the 2025 National Assembly audit will begin. As this is the first audit since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration, and with major issues such as the Korea-U.S. customs agreement on the agenda, it is drawing significant attention. Over the course of three installments, we will examine the atmosphere in Yeouido as lawmakers prepare for the audit, this year's key issues, and the reasons both the ruling and opposition parties are focusing on the audit.

The most closely watched issue in the 2025 National Assembly audit is the government network paralysis caused by the fire at the National Intelligence Resources Management Agency (NIRA). This incident, which occurred just before the Chuseok holiday, is directly linked to the daily lives of citizens, and is expected to intensify political tensions between the Lee Jaemyung and Yoon Sukyeol administrations over who should be held responsible. Additionally, various reform agendas such as prosecution reform are also expected to be major issues in this year's audit. Political disputes surrounding the lingering shockwaves of the 12·3 Martial Law remain unresolved. Changes in the international landscape, along with Korea-U.S. customs negotiations and other diplomatic, trade, and security issues, are also important topics of interest.

On September 29, when the nationwide network paralysis continued due to a fire in the data center of the National Information Resources Service headquarters in Daejeon, a notice indicating that mail acceptance was not possible was posted on an unmanned mail acceptance machine installed at Gwanghwamun Post Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2025.9.29 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Public Services Disrupted, Aftermath of Administrative Network Paralysis

The controversy over the paralysis of the national network and the hacking incidents affecting financial institutions and telecom companies are matters of concern for both the ruling and opposition parties. With the unprecedented shutdown of the administrative network rendering public services inaccessible, and the scale of the hacking damage reaching record levels, the political world is paying close attention. Not only the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee, which has primary oversight, but also the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee have launched investigations into the situation.

After visiting the Daejeon NIRA fire site on September 29, the Public Administration and Security Committee scheduled an emergency session for October 1. The Democratic Party of Korea plans to focus on holding the Yoon Sukyeol administration accountable, closely examining budget allocations and safety management manuals. In contrast, the People Power Party argues that the Lee Jaemyung administration's response has been fundamentally flawed. A committee official stated, "Because the ruling and opposition parties view the situation differently, it could become a major political issue. Since this is a recent development, it is expected that a large number of witnesses and references will be called."

Another key issue is the hacking incidents involving telecom and credit card companies. The Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee plans to investigate a series of personal information leaks, including the unauthorized micro-payment hacking incident at KT. To this end, the CEOs of the three major telecom companies-Yoo Youngsang of SK Telecom, Kim Youngseop of KT, and Hong Beomsik of LG Uplus-have been included as witnesses for the audit scheduled for the 21st.

The Political Affairs Committee is focusing on the Lotte Card hacking incident, which exposed the personal information of 2.97 million members, as well as financial accidents at the five major banks. Kim Byungjoo, Chairman of MBK Partners (the largest shareholder of Lotte Card), and Cho Jwajin, CEO of Lotte Card, have already been confirmed as witnesses. A committee official commented, "With so many issues at hand, such as responses to household debt and restructuring of financial authorities, it may be most effective to focus on incidents that could cause large-scale damage."

The Strategy and Finance Committee and the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee are treating Korea-U.S. customs negotiations as a core issue. An opposition party official from the Strategy and Finance Committee stated, "We will mainly listen to the voices of companies that are adversely affected by the customs negotiations." The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee plans to examine the effectiveness of the September 7 housing supply expansion plan and the limitations of public-led supply.

On the 22nd, at the legislative hearing on prosecution reform held by the National Assembly Judiciary Committee, Na Kyungwon, Song Seokjun, and Cho Baesuk of the People Power Party, who were expelled, are protesting to Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae. 2025.9.22 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Reform Agendas under the Lee Jaemyung Administration Also in the Spotlight

This year’s National Assembly audit, the first under the Lee Jaemyung administration, is expected to focus on the key themes of "settlement," "reform," and "industrial accidents." The Democratic Party of Korea, the Korea Innovation Party, and other pro-government factions, which have made the settlement of insurrection a central cause, plan to highlight the need for the "three major reforms (judiciary, prosecution, media)" and push for strong legislative action. The People Power Party is refining its strategy based on the need to check the power of the ruling administration.

The "settlement audit" will focus on completely eradicating the remnants of insurrection following the 12·3 Martial Law declared by former President Yoon Sukyeol. The aftermath of the so-called "Geonjin Monk Kwanbongkwon Sash" loss incident is expected to be addressed not only in the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearings but also during the audit.

The "reform audit" will emphasize the need for prosecution, judiciary, and media reforms promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea, and will seek concrete action plans from the government. Moon Geumjoo, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated, "We will ensure that this audit serves to completely eliminate the remnants of insurrection and prevent any attempt to incite a second rebellion." The Democratic Party also announced plans to set up a "judicial victim reporting center" in the audit situation room to collect and publicly disclose cases of fabricated indictments by prosecutors.

The new administration's commitment to "eradicating industrial accidents" as a national agenda is another major focus of this audit. President Lee Jaemyung has previously declared that "taking someone's life to save costs is tantamount to murder by willful negligence or social homicide," emphasizing a "zero-tolerance" policy on industrial accidents.

The main "targets" of the industrial accident audit are expected to be large construction companies. The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, the Environment and Labor Committee, and other relevant committees have summoned the CEOs of major construction firms to appear as witnesses or references during the audit.

Korean workers of LG Energy Solution, who were arrested and detained by U.S. immigration authorities, are reuniting with their families at the P2 long-term parking lot of Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of September 12, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Contrasting Views of the Ruling and Opposition Parties on Korea-U.S. Customs Negotiations

The ruling and opposition parties are set to clash over diplomatic, trade, and security issues such as customs negotiations with the United States, visa matters, and North Korea policy during this year's National Assembly audit. The Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee and the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee are scheduled to conduct audits of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, respectively, on the 13th.

The main focus of this audit is the Korea-U.S. customs negotiations. The Democratic Party of Korea has criticized the negotiations led by then-acting President and Prime Minister Han Duksoo in April as "for presidential ambitions" and a "hasty agreement," insisting that the new administration should renegotiate. Despite holding two-plus-two high-level talks between finance and trade ministers and a Korea-U.S. summit with President Donald Trump since Lee Jaemyung took office, the two countries have failed to narrow their differences.

Recently, the U.S. government has increased pressure by demanding direct investment of $350 billion (about 494 trillion won) from the Korean government and mentioning the need for advance payments and increased investment amounts. Prolonged customs negotiations are negatively impacting not only certain trade items such as steel, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, but also the domestic financial market. A heated debate is expected between the ruling and opposition parties during the audit of the Ministry of Economy and Finance's economic and fiscal policy, scheduled for the 13th by the Strategy and Finance Committee.

There are also plans to examine the recent large-scale detention incident involving the Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution battery joint venture plant in the United States, which has brought U.S. visa issuance problems to the forefront, as well as the current status of Korea-U.S. visa negotiations.

Other issues such as the government's North Korea policy and visa matters will also be addressed. President Lee Jaemyung announced the "END Initiative" at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23 (local time), which aims to resolve hostile confrontation through Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization, thereby achieving the most certain peace without the need for conflict. Additional topics of interest include the ban on sending leaflets to North Korea and the North Korean missile issue.

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