Ruling and Opposition Lawmakers Unite in Questioning the Corruption Investigation Office's Reason for Existence

On the 13th, ruling and opposition lawmakers alike denounced the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) for its lack of investigative competence during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's annual audit, pressing CIO chief Oh Dong-woon to provide answers. Despite their differing political lines, both parties used this audit to voice shared distrust of the CIO's investigative capabilities.

The Democratic Party criticized the office for failing to properly investigate independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon and Chief Judge Ji Gwi-yeon. Rep. Kim Han-gyu pointed out that "the investigation into Judge Ji, who received entertainment worth 4.09 million won in whiskey and hostess fees at a room salon, took a year," adding that "the CIO has directly indicted only eight cases since its launch." Rep. Park Ji-won told Chief Oh, "You are not up to the job. If you admit your shortcomings, you should step down." Rep. Park Kyeong-seok noted that "Han Duck-soo was reported for dereliction of duty for failing to appoint Constitutional Court justices while serving as acting president, but the CIO never investigated the case and eventually handed it over to the special counsel."

The People Power Party pointed out that no investigations have been pursued against ruling camp figures such as Kim Hyun-ji, the presidential office's first deputy chief of staff.

How CIO chief Oh Dong-woon, who appeared at the audit, responded to these criticisms will serve as a measure of where the agency is headed.