South Korea’s Parliament Opens Annual Audit of Government Agencies

South Korea’s National Assembly was set to begin its annual audit of government agencies on Tuesday, opening a multiweek review likely to feature sharp disputes over the judiciary, foreign affairs and security policy.

Eight of the legislature’s 17 standing committees were scheduled to convene from 10 a.m. on the first day. The audit is due to continue through Oct. 27, giving lawmakers a forum to question officials and examine the conduct of ministries and other public bodies.

One of the most contentious exchanges is expected at the legislation and judiciary committee. Lawmakers are preparing to scrutinize Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s refusal to recommend a new candidate for a seat on the country’s highest court after the presidential office asked him to reconsider two nominees.

The request was made in August after the presidential office raised concerns about Cho’s written recommendation of two candidates to President Lee Jae Myung. Cho rejected the request on the grounds that there was no constitutional basis for making another recommendation.

South Korea’s Constitution provides that Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president upon the chief justice’s recommendation and with the consent of the National Assembly. Cho previously said he would explain his position during the audit, but he submitted written notice that he would not attend as a witness. His absence is likely to add to the political friction surrounding the issue.

The foreign affairs and unification committee is also expected to focus on tensions between Seoul and Kyiv over the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war from Ukraine to South Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the transfer publicly last month. South Korea said that public disclosure had not been agreed between the two governments.

Seoul subsequently accused Ukraine of violating a bilateral agreement to keep the transfer confidential. Ukraine has denied that such an agreement existed, leaving the two sides at odds over how the case was handled and communicated.

Security concerns along the inter-Korean border are also set to receive attention. Lawmakers are expected to examine recent explosions involving North Korean-planted land mines inside the Demilitarized Zone. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the blasts.

The opening day therefore places institutional authority, diplomatic coordination and border security at the center of the parliamentary review. With committees working across the government for the remainder of October, the audit is expected to become a major arena for contest between the rival parties.