The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has finalized the results of a specific audit regarding Kim Hyung-seok, the director of the Independence Hall of Korea. Director Kim filed an objection to the audit results on the 5th, but the ministry notified him on the 12th that it would not accept the objection.
The ministry conducted an audit starting on September 18 of last year, investigating allegations of Kim’s privatization of the Independence Hall, budget execution, and use of business promotion expenses. The audit results, to be disclosed on the 13th, reportedly include judgments of misconduct on 14 issues, including the free lease of foundational assets, receipt and solicitation of money and valuables, access to storage facilities, improper use and execution of the director’s business promotion expenses, and religious bias in the operation of the museum.
With the audit results finalized, the process for Kim’s dismissal is expected to begin. However, to process the dismissal recommendation, a board meeting of the Independence Hall must be convened, and the authority to convene the meeting rests with Director Kim. Consequently, there is an expected ongoing dispute over convening the board.
If the board is convened and the dismissal recommendation passes, the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will propose the dismissal to the President, who will then approve it. Director Kim was appointed during the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The ruling party has urged Kim to resign, criticizing him as a New Right scholar with a distorted view of history.