Board of Audit and Inspection: Operational Reform TF Is for Restoring Trust Through Self-Examination and Reflection... Audit Results Remain Unchanged

Response to Criticism of Undermining Previous Administration’s Audits
"Over the Past Three Years, the Board Has Faced Unprecedented Decline in Credibility... Laying the Groundwork for a New Beginning"

The Board of Audit and Inspection emphasized that the launch and activities of its Operational Reform Task Force (TF) represent a thorough process of self-examination and reflection, aimed at restoring the agency’s independence and political neutrality as well as regaining the public’s trust. This statement was made in response to criticism that the activities and findings of the Operational Reform TF were intended to undermine audits conducted under the previous administration.

Yonhap News Agency

On November 27, the Board of Audit and Inspection stated, “Over the past three years, the agency has been subject to continuous criticism both internally and externally that its audit activities and operations have been biased and arbitrary. These issues have not only affected the audit results confirmed by the Board’s highest decision-making body, the Audit Committee, but have also led to an unprecedented decline in public trust in the Board itself.”

The agency further explained, “The establishment and activities of the Operational Reform TF are part of a rigorous effort to restore the Board’s independence and political neutrality under these grave circumstances, and to regain public trust through thorough self-examination and reflection. This is also an effort to resolve past issues and lay the groundwork for a new beginning.”

The Board of Audit and Inspection stressed that the TF’s review is focused on procedural problems during the audit process, not on audit results confirmed by the Audit Committee, and that the TF’s activities cannot overturn existing audit outcomes. The agency stated, “In the process of correcting past mistakes, the Board is ensuring that these efforts are not perceived as flip-flopping, reversing positions, or political retaliation, by thoroughly verifying facts, securing evidence, and conducting legal reviews. When necessary, accountability is being pursued. Changes to Audit Committee decisions can only be made through re-examination and re-submission to the Committee. Therefore, the current TF activities cannot reverse existing audit results.”

The agency added, “With the conclusion of the Operational Reform TF’s activities, we will complete the review of past illegal and unjust acts and ensure that such self-examination and reflection do not become a recurring process in the future. We will strive to establish a consistent system for selecting audit targets, operating audits, and disclosing results, so that these processes are not swayed by changes in administration.”

Previously, the TF confirmed that Yoo Byungho, former Secretary General of the Board of Audit and Inspection (now an Audit Committee member), had extensively abused his personnel and inspection authority during his tenure, and reported him to investigative authorities on charges including abuse of power. It was also revealed that, during audits of the killing of a public official in the West Sea and the GP (Guard Post) audit, military secrets were leaked, leading to seven individuals being investigated on charges including unauthorized disclosure of military secrets in the course of their work.

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