감사원장, 통계·서해 감사에 “불법 확인…국민·공직자에 사과”

The Chairman of the Audit Office, Hocheol Kim, acknowledged misconduct during the statistical and Sea Breeze audits conducted during the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol. At a commemorative ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of the Audit Office, held on the 28th, Kim announced that illegal actions were confirmed in the audit processes, including coercion and the use of misleading evidence.

He apologized to the public and government officials, vowing to take serious action against those responsible. The Audit Office's Special Investigation Committee (TF) released findings the previous day, revealing that during the Park Geun-hye administration, officials from the Presidential Secretariat, the National Treasury, and the Ministry of Transport were targeted with coercive investigations and manipulation of testimonies.

The Sea Breeze audit also uncovered illegal digital forensic practices. In response, Kim filed charges against the nine-person audit team, demanding their dismissal and transfer, and forwarded investigative materials to the National Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Bureau. Kim stressed that unresolved irregularities and misuse of audit authority erode public trust, urging a thorough cleansing of the past and a renewed, trustworthy audit office.

He also unveiled plans for a restructured Audit Office, including the creation of the Climate and Environment Audit Bureau to enhance the specialized climate crisis audits, and the separation of investigative and constitutional jurisdictional powers.