Interior minister orders audit of Gwangju serious crimes chief over public criticism of agency head nominee

Ministry of Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung on Sunday ordered an audit of Im Eun-jeong, chief of the Gwangju Regional Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, who has publicly criticized Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to serve as the agency's inaugural national director.

According to Yonhap, Yun posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he would direct the agency to launch an audit of Im. "Chief Im appears to be under the mistaken impression that the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is an institution for politics, not for investigation," he said.

The audit order is based on the Act on the Organization and Operation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.

Article 6 of the act states that the minister of interior and safety "shall generally direct and supervise the director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and its staff," adding that "with respect to specific cases, the minister shall direct and supervise only the director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency."