Democratic Party calls audit of Gwangju investigative chief 'common-sense measure'

The Democratic Party of Korea on Sunday called Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung's decision to order an audit of Gwangju Regional Serious Crimes Investigation Agency chief Im Eun-jung a "common-sense measure."

Democratic Party spokesperson Jo Gye-won told reporters at the National Assembly that day that it was "absurd" for a subordinate to publicly weigh in on a superior's personnel decisions, according to Yonhap.

Yun had earlier announced via social media that he would direct the agency to launch an audit of Im under the law governing the organization and operation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. The move came after Im had publicly criticized Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for inaugural chief of the agency.

On the internal opposition to Kim's nomination, Jo said issues that had not yet been raised or verified at the confirmation hearing "can be fully addressed through additional vetting."

Jo went on to say that "it is no longer right to keep questioning his qualifications in the media or on social media before the vetting is even complete," adding that Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok "issued a strong warning on this matter."

Kim had appeared on the party's YouTube channel on Wednesday, addressing calls from hardliners within the party to block the nomination. "I said it was time for the party to get this under control, and I understand they will not be raising the issue further," he said.

Jo also weighed in on a recent Gallup Korea poll showing the party's approval rating had hit its lowest point since the current administration took office. "Internal party conflict seems inevitably linked to the stagnation in our approval ratings," he said. He added that the public still perceives divisions within the Democratic Party over prosecution reform, and that centrist voters who had supported the party "have been drifting away at a considerable pace and have yet to return."

He expressed hope that the confirmation hearing for the serious crimes agency chief would help ease some of the tensions. "If these issues are resolved, I think the approval ratings will move out of their stagnant state and start to recover," he said.