During the government of Yoon Seok-yeol, Yoo Byeong-ho, an auditor who spearheaded audits targeting the opposition, has recently attracted attention with actions bordering on eccentricity. This behavior began with the establishment of an “Operational Reform Task Force” within the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) last September to review audits perceived as “targeted” during the previous administration. Yoo strongly opposed the creation of this task force during the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing on October 16, describing the situation as unrealistic for a constitutional body.
According to multiple sources within the BAI, Yoo was reportedly disrespectful during a recent encounter with a female employee, referred to as Ms. A, in the agency’s fitness center. Ms. A had previously demanded the resignation of senior leadership, including Yoo, citing operational issues, during a June meeting following the inauguration of Lee Jae-myung’s government. An anonymous BAI employee speculated that Yoo likely perceived Ms. A as a thorn in his side, given her opposing views to those of his close associates known as the “Tiger Group.”
Despite attempts to contact Yoo, he declined to respond, conveying through the BAI’s public relations office that he was unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, the new secretary-general, Jeong Sang-woo, who initiated the task force, has also been a frequent target of Yoo’s attacks. Last month, Yoo reportedly sent a small jewelry box filled with candy as a mock gift to Jeong’s office as a gesture of displeasure.
Yoo’s actions continued during the farewell ceremony for the outgoing chairman, Choi Jae-hae. Yoo played the song “The World is Like a Mirage” and criticized Choi for “destroying the BAI,” directing further insults at colleagues. A witness described the scene as shocking and uncomfortable for attendees.
On October 28, Yoo posted a message on the BAI’s internal network urging the agency head to dismantle the task force he likened to a bizarre assembly. The post, targeting Choi, compared the task force office to a “Cambodian outhouse” and included derogatory remarks.
Further tensions arose when a colleague close to Yoo, identified as Ms. B, criticized the task force through internal communication, prompting Yoo to comment supportively but with inappropriate language. Secretary-General Jeong responded by affirming a continued investigation into Yoo and the Tiger Group’s non-cooperation with the inquiry.
Yoo was appointed Secretary-General of the BAI after Yoon Seok-yeol’s inauguration and actively conducted audits aimed at the opposition for 18 months before he became an auditor in February 2022. His term is set to run until February 2028.