South Korea’s presidential oversight office resumed operations Monday when Choi Kil-su took up the special inspector post, which covers alleged corruption involving the president’s relatives and senior aides.
Yonhap reported that President Lee Jae Myung appointed Choi on Friday, Oct. 23. It was the first appointment to the position since late 2016, after the office had stood vacant for years.
The Independent Inspector General Act authorizes the inspector to investigate alleged misconduct involving the president’s spouse, relatives within the fourth degree of kinship and Presidential Secretariat officials at or above senior secretary rank. The position carries a three-year term.
At his office in central Seoul on Monday, Choi said he would maintain political neutrality and professional independence. “I will uphold political neutrality and independence in carrying out my duties to the end,” Choi told reporters, according to Yonhap. He also said inspectors should seek information on their own rather than wait for complaints or lawsuits, Yonhap reported.
Choi’s appointment followed a selection process covered in EconoTimes’ earlier report on the lawmakers’ review of his nomination. Lee chose him in August from three candidates put forward by political parties and the bar association. The presidential office cited Choi’s experience in corruption investigations and internal oversight. He appeared before lawmakers at a confirmation hearing on Sept. 18.
Yonhap reporting cited in EconoTimes’ earlier coverage linked disputes over candidate recommendations to the vacancy. The office was established in 2014, but had no appointee after late 2016.
Choi also pledged rigorous inspections and invoked the panopticon, a circular prison design associated with constant observation, as an image for his role, Yonhap reported. He said he felt a heavy responsibility and would work to meet public expectations.
