▲ Interim Auditor General Kim Inhoe
The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) will announce its self-reform plan, including the abolition of the Special Investigation Bureau, tomorrow (3rd).
In a ‘letter’ posted on the internal network today (2nd), Interim Auditor General Kim Inhoe stated that the Special Investigation Bureau has generated many problems such as “political audits, mandated audits, prolonged audits, ritualistic audits, biased audits, and human rights-violating audits,” making its abolition “inevitable.”
Kim emphasized, “The most crucial part of the institutional reform is the abolition of the Special Investigation Bureau,” explaining that tasks unrelated to political audits could be handled by other general departments.
He also requested understanding for the decision to abolish the Special Investigation Bureau, urging, “If our reform fails, stronger external reforms will begin,” highlighting the desperation felt by the acting head and the renewal task force (TF).
Additionally, he stressed the need to change everything from the Board of Audit and Inspection Act to regulations, from top executives to ordinary employees, and from norms to culture, stating that the same principles will apply to future personnel reorganization.
Through the activities of the renewal TF, Kim revealed that serious issues such as computer manipulation, disclosure of military secrets, obstruction of official duties by hierarchy, and abuse of authority were confirmed, although criminal prosecution and disciplinary measures have been minimized.
He stated the necessity of an apology post-investigation, citing former President Roh Moo-hyun’s apologies for incidents like the Jeju 4.3 Incident and the Ulsan Bodo League Incident, and emphasized the apology should not only be to the general public but also directly to the victims of the audits.
Regarding some skepticism about whether the renewal TF is attempting to overturn previous Audit Committee resolutions, he clarified that “a review confirmed there is no need for retrial authority,” but “application retrials are the rights of the parties involved.”
Towards the end of the letter, he expressed hope that the next Auditor General will actively pursue the reform measures, stating that the current truth ascertainment and reform plan are optimal, and called for participation from all members.
Kim’s letter seems to be aimed at sharing the purpose and background of the final reform plan with employees, a day before its announcement.
He had also emphasized the need for renewal and reform in a letter to staff on the 28th of last month.
(Photo = Yonhap News)