ACRC calls on NEC to comply with investigation into nepotistic hiring scandal

Politics

Published: 14 Jun. 2023, 17:41 Updated: 14 Jun. 2023, 18:06

ACRC calls on NEC to comply with investigation into nepotistic hiring scandal

Jeong Seung-yoon, deputy chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, speaks at a press conference at the government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, Wednesday, accusing the National Election Commission of noncompliance in an investigation into its nepotistic hiring scandal. [NEWS1]

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) on Wednesday called on the national election watchdog to fully comply with an investigation into its nepotistic hiring scandal, saying it was not being cooperative.

Jeong Seung-yoon, ACRC deputy chairman, said in a press briefing Wednesday afternoon that the National Election Commission (NEC) was not being responsive to an on-site investigation that morning over allegations of preferential treatment in the hiring of children of high-ranking officials.

"The NEC said that it would actively cooperate with the ACRC's investigation, but it suddenly changed its attitude and is refusing the probe on the grounds of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) audit," Jeong told reporters at the Seoul government complex.

The ACRC previously announced it would launch a month-long, all-out investigation into the NEC by the end of June regarding alleged corruption in the election agency's hiring and promotion practices over the past seven years following the nepotism allegations.

This came after several children of former and current NEC senior officials were accused of securing jobs through their fathers' influence, including the daughters of former NEC Secretary General Park Chan-jin and Deputy Secretary General Song Bong-seop. Both Park and Song resigned over the allegations in late May.

At the beginning of the month, the NEC initially said that it would not accept an audit by the BAI. It cited the checks and balances granted to it constitutionally as an independent agency, limiting the scope of audits conducted by the state auditor.

Amid mounting public pressure, the NEC changed its stance last Friday and came around to accepting a BAI audit.

However, the NEC clarified that it would only accept the BAI's inspection regarding the nepotistic hiring allegations and refused an audit of its overall activities.

The NEC also announced its intention to file a petition asking the Constitutional Court to determine whether the agency is indeed subject to a BAI audit.

Jeong said Wednesday that a 33-member team was formed to investigate the corruption allegations related to the NEC and it attempted to begin its probe earlier that morning at its headquarters and 17 provincial and municipal offices, efforts which the election watchdog have rebuffed.

The NEC refused to provide access and submit the required data to the ACRC investigator, according to Jeong.

"Was the NEC's earlier statement that it would cooperate with the ACRC's investigation just a shallow trick to deceive the public to avoid the BAI audit?" asked Jeong.

If the NEC refuses to comply, Jeong warned that the ACRC, a corruption prevention watchdog, will investigate corruption regardless of resistance.

"What are they so afraid of, and are there so many things to hide?" Jeong said, calling on the NEC to "fully accept the BAI audit and forever give up authority disputes," referring to the Constitutional Court petition.

Should the Constitutional Court side with the NEC, the BAI audit would become invalid, pointed out ACRC officials.

In turn, NEC officials said that it was difficult to comprehend why Jeong suddenly called an emergency press conference that day, saying that rather than refusing to comply with an investigation, they were merely asking the ACRC and the BAI to cooperate together in the probe.

The NEC officials said it wasn't efficient for two agencies to probe its staffers twice over the same matters.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]