Abolishes Special Investigation Bureau, Pledges Fewer Corruption Probes
Acting Head of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) Kim In-hoe stated on the 3rd that the BAI’s past audits targeting high-ranking officials from the Moon Jae-in administration were “political audits” and apologized to victims affected by “excessive audits.” He announced the abolition of the Special Investigation Bureau, which led the relevant audits, and pledged to prohibit requesting criminal investigations or releasing interim audit results without approval from the Audit Committee. He also emphasized plans to significantly reduce audits focused on uncovering corruption.
Kim In-hoe, Acting Head of the BAI, co-authored a book on so-called “prosecutorial reform” with former President Moon Jae-in and was appointed as an audit committee member by Moon in December 2021. He became Acting Head of the BAI on the 11th of last month following the retirement of former BAI head Choe Jae-hae. Kim, who announced that audits targeting high-ranking Moon administration officials were “political audits,” will complete his four-year term and retire on the 5th.
◇ Full Text of Acting Head of the Board of Audit and Inspection Kim In-hoe’s Statement
Respected citizens, today I stand before you as the final responsible person of the BAI to explain the results of its reform and future plans.
The BAI has faced criticism for deviating from its original independence and political neutrality, conducting political audits, targeted audits, coercive audits, and human rights-violating audits against specific individuals and policies.
To reflect on past mistakes and start anew, the BAI established the “BAI Operational Reform Task Force” on September 16, 2025. Today, as Acting Head of the BAI, I report the final outcomes of this task force.
The task force thoroughly reviewed audits criticized as political, targeted, coercive, or human rights-violating. These included the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant audit, Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission audit, West Sea official killing incident audit, statistics audit, North Korean GP incapacitation verification audit, THAAD deployment audit, and presidential residence construction audit.
The task force also investigated internal factors enabling such audits, including abuse of HR authority and inspection powers.
Internally, employee opinions were collected. Externally, eight experts from academia, legal circles, media, and civic groups were consulted to review BAI activities and derive reform measures from a broader perspective.
Some criticize the task force as “political retaliation” or a “second Augean Stables (rooting out accumulated corruption).” However, the BAI’s reform is an unavoidable historical responsibility after martial law and insurrection, and a desperate effort for the BAI to be reborn.
The task force was established under the BAI Act, BAI Office Organization Rules, and the Public Audit Act. Top BAI personnel thoroughly reviewed audit cases and institutional issues. When parties were involved, they were given opportunities to defend themselves. Some refused investigations but were still granted sufficient time and opportunities to respond.
Investigations confirmed illegal and unjust practices in the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission audit, West Sea official killing incident audit, and North Korean GP incapacitation verification audit, including bypassing audit committee authority, data manipulation, military secrecy leaks, excessive investigation requests, and premature audit disclosures. These findings were previously reported via press releases.
Similar issues were identified in the statistics audit, including excessive investigation requests and premature disclosures.
Regarding HR authority and inspection power abuse, the task force confirmed that BAI leadership conducted unwarranted inspections and forced leave on employees without objective misconduct, interfered in performance evaluations, and used HR authority and inspection powers to pressure employees into conducting political and excessive audits.
These were shameful acts as humans and unacceptable for the BAI.
The task force revealed that political and excessive audits caused suffering to many. On behalf of the BAI, I deeply apologize to those affected.
Particularly, I offer profound apologies to Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources employees acquitted by the Supreme Court after prolonged investigations and trials related to the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant audit, and to former Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Chairperson Jeon Hyun-heui, who faced prosecution but was not indicted due to the audit.
Institutional reforms are needed to prevent political and excessive audits.
First, we will reorganize the BAI, including abolishing the controversial Special Investigation Bureau. This bureau had no defined scope or time limits for audits, risking political exploitation. The task force confirmed its involvement in criticized audits. Its abolition is unavoidable.
Instead, the BAI will expand departments focused on audits protecting citizens’ lives and safety, enhancing public trust, and supporting public officials.
Second, we will prohibit indiscriminate investigation requests and interim audit disclosures. Investigation requests, previously made at the office’s discretion, will require Audit Committee approval. Public disclosures before committee deliberation will also be banned. Abuse of reporting will be prevented.
Internally, we will reform audits to be more human rights-friendly. Audits focused on uncovering corruption will be significantly reduced, prioritizing audits that encourage proactive administration, assist public officials, and resolve conflicts. Resources will concentrate on audits safeguarding citizens’ lives, safety, and quality of life.
Institutional improvements will address HR authority abuse and inspection power misuse by BAI leadership, preventing factionalism through fair personnel management.
To enhance understanding of audited institutions, we will introduce a system dispatching BAI employees to target organizations, fostering smoother communication between government agencies and the BAI.
Reforms are essential. While systems can prevent misuse of leadership, ethics beyond rules — tolerance and restraint — are equally vital.
The BAI sets standards for the public sector, guiding officials and correcting deviations. To lead by example, BAI employees must embody overwhelming integrity, morality, self-sacrifice, humility, and dignity. We will strive to elevate ethical awareness beyond institutional frameworks.
Respected citizens, the BAI caused significant issues through political and excessive audits over the past three years. We deeply reflect on this and apologize again to victims.
Now, the BAI aims to be reborn through reform. The task force’s work marks the beginning. The proposed reforms, though common-sense, require steadfast implementation. The BAI solemnly pledges to uphold these reforms before the public. We ask citizens to continue monitoring, checking, encouraging, and supporting the BAI’s efforts.
Thank you, citizens, for your care and love for the BAI.
