Five committees of the National Assembly have begun comprehensive audits, marking the approach of the conclusion of this year's National Assembly Audit. Observers note that the initial resolve for a 'public welfare audit' has faded, with both ruling and opposition parties becoming mired in political conflict.
On October 22, the National Assembly's Political Affairs, Finance and Economy, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Food, Marine Affairs, and Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Enterprises committees conducted their audits.
The Political Affairs Committee, which began its comprehensive audit the previous day, concluded its review of the financial sector, while the remaining four committees will continue their audits until October 23, wrapping up this year's sessions. Other committees, such as Education, Culture, Sports, and Tourism, will conduct their audits on October 23, meaning most committees will finish their audits this week.
This year's audits have been criticized for being largely ineffective, as the ruling Democratic Party successfully defended the selection of key witnesses. Notably, the absence of former Blue House policy chief Kim Yong-beom from the witness list regarding single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has made it difficult to ascertain accountability. During the Political Affairs Committee's audit, People Power Party lawmaker Park Seong-hoon expressed frustration, asking, "Are we to let a phantom decide and a ghost take responsibility?"
Some committee audits have been marred by political strife and inappropriate remarks, sidelining public welfare issues. The Science and Technology Committee faced disruptions after voting to exclude People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook from the audit on October 12. On October 16, the audit was interrupted twice, preventing the completion of key inquiries. The previous day's ruling by the Constitutional Court, which partially accepted a request to suspend the effect of the exclusion decision, became a topic of discussion during the comprehensive audit.
The Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit also devolved into a political battleground, with both parties clashing over issues such as the reappointment of Supreme Court justices and the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigative powers. The Democratic Party pressured Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to resign, further distancing the audit from public welfare concerns. On the first day of the audit, October 6, tensions escalated when the committee chair suspended the speaking rights of a People Power Party lawmaker, leading to protests and further political conflict.
Both parties' leaderships have also directed aggressive messages at each other during the audit period. Democratic Party floor leader Han Byeong-do criticized the People Power Party for turning the audit into a platform for hate and derogatory remarks. Conversely, People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik accused the Democratic Party of rejecting all key witness selections and stifling opposition lawmakers' voices, leading to a hollow audit.
Experts observing this year's audits have pointed out structural issues, arguing that the original purpose of the audits—to identify problems and propose solutions—has been lost.
Political commentator Choi Yo-han expressed disappointment in a conversation with Aju Economy, stating, "While there are practical limitations due to the limited questioning time and the number of agencies to audit, it seems that lawmakers are unable to see the bigger picture." He suggested that the current system, which allows only seven minutes for questioning while spotlighting issues, is inadequate for conducting thorough audits and called for consideration of making the audits permanent.
The National Assembly will conclude this year's audits with comprehensive sessions for the Legislation and Judiciary, National Defense, Administrative Safety, Foreign Affairs and Unification, Health and Welfare, and Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor committees from October 26 to 27, followed by joint committee audits from October 28 to 30. Following this, both parties are expected to continue negotiations over next year's budget and contentious legislation.
On October 22, the National Assembly's Political Affairs, Finance and Economy, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Food, Marine Affairs, and Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Enterprises committees conducted their audits.
The Political Affairs Committee, which began its comprehensive audit the previous day, concluded its review of the financial sector, while the remaining four committees will continue their audits until October 23, wrapping up this year's sessions. Other committees, such as Education, Culture, Sports, and Tourism, will conduct their audits on October 23, meaning most committees will finish their audits this week.
This year's audits have been criticized for being largely ineffective, as the ruling Democratic Party successfully defended the selection of key witnesses. Notably, the absence of former Blue House policy chief Kim Yong-beom from the witness list regarding single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has made it difficult to ascertain accountability. During the Political Affairs Committee's audit, People Power Party lawmaker Park Seong-hoon expressed frustration, asking, "Are we to let a phantom decide and a ghost take responsibility?"
Some committee audits have been marred by political strife and inappropriate remarks, sidelining public welfare issues. The Science and Technology Committee faced disruptions after voting to exclude People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook from the audit on October 12. On October 16, the audit was interrupted twice, preventing the completion of key inquiries. The previous day's ruling by the Constitutional Court, which partially accepted a request to suspend the effect of the exclusion decision, became a topic of discussion during the comprehensive audit.
The Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit also devolved into a political battleground, with both parties clashing over issues such as the reappointment of Supreme Court justices and the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigative powers. The Democratic Party pressured Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to resign, further distancing the audit from public welfare concerns. On the first day of the audit, October 6, tensions escalated when the committee chair suspended the speaking rights of a People Power Party lawmaker, leading to protests and further political conflict.
Both parties' leaderships have also directed aggressive messages at each other during the audit period. Democratic Party floor leader Han Byeong-do criticized the People Power Party for turning the audit into a platform for hate and derogatory remarks. Conversely, People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik accused the Democratic Party of rejecting all key witness selections and stifling opposition lawmakers' voices, leading to a hollow audit.
Experts observing this year's audits have pointed out structural issues, arguing that the original purpose of the audits—to identify problems and propose solutions—has been lost.
Political commentator Choi Yo-han expressed disappointment in a conversation with Aju Economy, stating, "While there are practical limitations due to the limited questioning time and the number of agencies to audit, it seems that lawmakers are unable to see the bigger picture." He suggested that the current system, which allows only seven minutes for questioning while spotlighting issues, is inadequate for conducting thorough audits and called for consideration of making the audits permanent.
The National Assembly will conclude this year's audits with comprehensive sessions for the Legislation and Judiciary, National Defense, Administrative Safety, Foreign Affairs and Unification, Health and Welfare, and Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor committees from October 26 to 27, followed by joint committee audits from October 28 to 30. Following this, both parties are expected to continue negotiations over next year's budget and contentious legislation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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