Kwon Chang-seok Special Counsel Summons BAI Commissioner Yoo Byung-ho Over Audit of Official Residence Relocation

The independent counsel team, led by Kwon Chang-seok, began questioning Yoo Byung-ho, a commissioner at the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), on the morning of the 13th regarding allegations of a shoddy audit into the official residence relocation. Through this investigation, the counsel intends to confirm the overall circumstances of the audit, specific instructions given, and whether there was interference from the 'top line,' such as the Presidential Office. Attention is focused on whether Yoo will be summoned again and the outcome of the investigation.

Prior to the investigation, Yoo issued a statement denying all allegations, accusing the special counsel of constructing a criminal case based on a fictitious scenario. Regarding instructions to downplay or omit audit findings, Yoo stated that drafting the report was not his responsibility, effectively deflecting blame.

Commissioner Yoo has been identified as a central figure in the shoddy audit scandal amid revelations that he instructed the audit team leader in March 2023 to conduct a written inquiry regarding the "21-gram" issue. At that time, the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety were aware of key facts, including the lack of business licenses for the relevant companies.