Gyeonggi Province Audit: Retreading Existing Issues, No New Suspicions

Gov. Choo Mi-ae underwent her first audit roughly 100 days after taking office. While issues that emerged since her inauguration—including the financial emergency declaration, cuts to livelihood budgets, and controversy over official residences—were raised again, rather than new suspicions or decisive facts being revealed, disputes over existing issues continued to repeat.

At the National Assembly Standing Committee on Administration and Security audit held at the Gyeonggi Province Government Building on the 13th, the province's fiscal situation, budget management, personnel matters, and issues regarding submission of data to the National Assembly were addressed as major topics of inquiry.

The most attention was focused on the fiscal emergency measures declared by Gov. Choo following her inauguration.

Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties questioned the background of the financial emergency declaration in a situation where Gyeonggi Province's debt ratio falls short of the financial caution standard set by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and examined the appropriateness of adjustments to livelihood budgets.

Rep. Chae Hyun-il of the Democratic Party (Yeongdeungpo-A, Seoul) raised issues regarding the basis for determining fiscal crisis and response methods, and Rep. Lee Gwang-hee of the same party (Cheongju Seowon-B, North Chungcheong) pointed out problems that arose during the budget adjustment process, separate from the necessity of fiscal soundness.

Lawmakers of the People Power Party raised questions about the equity of fiscal austerity measures by mentioning the province's increased debt and issues surrounding official residences and official vehicles.

Gov. Choo explained the decline in acquisition tax, the burden of matching national-funded projects, and future repayment of local bonds, stating that it is difficult to assess Gyeonggi Province's financial situation based solely on the debt ratio.

The province's response to the National Assembly's request for data also became controversial.

Rep. Park Sang-ung of the People Power Party (Miryang-Uiryeong-Haman-Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province) pointed out that while he requested submission of materials including the governor's directives, official residence contracts, and internal audit reports, Gyeonggi Province refused to provide them.

Rep. Park mentioned statements by Gov. Choo during her time as a National Assembly member that emphasized data submission and her history of proposing related bills, while requesting the submission of data.

Rep. Park Jung-hyun of the Democratic Party (Daedeok, Daejeon) also pointed out that while she requested information on the status of reports and victim protection measures regarding workplace harassment among local civil servants in all 17 cities and provinces nationwide, the province did not submit the data, citing it as an autonomous matter.

Rep. Park mentioned Gov. Choo's lengthy career as a National Assembly member and requested that the data be submitted by the comprehensive audit.

The province's delay in its second-half regular personnel reshuffle was also brought up. Rep. Lee Hae-sik of the Democratic Party (Gangdong, Seoul) pointed out that approximately 1,130 civil servants are affected by the suspension of regular personnel appointments, noting that the burden of responding to the fiscal crisis should not fall on civil servants.

Questions related to political issues also followed.

Gov. Choo reconfirmed her existing opposition to Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the Office of Investigation into Major Crimes. Regarding recent social media statements by President Lee Jae-myung, she answered that she does not believe the remarks were directed at her.

Light banter was also exchanged during the audit.

Rep. Kang Myung-gu of the People Power Party (Gumi-B, North Gyeongsang Province) jokingly asked "Is this a tactic?" when Gov. Choo's response became lengthy, and the governor smiled.

Later, when Rep. Park Jung-hyun of the Democratic Party said the size of the audit hall was excessively large and requested that the desk size be reduced next time, Gov. Choo countered with "This seems to be a tactic too," drawing laughter throughout the audit hall.

Rep. Kim Young-jin, chair of the Standing Committee on Administration and Security (Democratic Party, Suwon-B), also expressed admiration for the size of the audit hall before the audit began, and Gov. Choo also made a joke during the witness oath process, noting the long distance to travel.