Seoul: The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has announced its decision to seek the impeachment of the head of the state audit agency, citing his noncompliance with parliamentary scrutiny regarding the relocation of the presidential residence.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the DP intends to propose an impeachment motion against Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) Chair Choe Jae-hae during a plenary session of the National Assembly scheduled for Monday. The party’s spokesperson, Rep. Noh Jong-myung, revealed this plan following a general meeting of lawmakers. By law, once an impeachment motion is proposed, it must be voted on in a plenary session within 24 to 72 hours.

Rep. Noh highlighted concerns over Choe’s handling of the audit related to the presidential residence’s relocation, suggesting a possible violation of the Act on Testimony and Appraisal Before the National Assembly. The allegations include Choe’s failure to submit requested materials during parliamentary hearings as a basis for the impe
achment effort.

Prior to this development, the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee had passed a resolution to file a complaint against Choe. The complaint alleged that he refused to provide documents pertinent to the audit of the presidential residence relocation. The controversy stems from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to move the presidential office to a former defense headquarters building in Seoul’s Yongsan district soon after his inauguration in 2022.

The BAI’s audit in September concluded that there were legal violations in the relocation and repair procedures. However, the DP has criticized the agency, describing its audit as “sloppy.”