A legislative audit isn’t a venue for political attacks

Lawmakers must not waste time exchanging political attacks. Otherwise, all the damages will land on ordinary citizens.

The 22nd National Assembly’s first audit of the government began on Monday with unceasing exchanges of ferocious attacks by members of the governing People Power Party (PPP) and majority Democratic Party (DP). The DP is poised to turn the audit into a venue for attacking the Yoon Suk Yeol administration over first lady Kim Keon Hee’s corruption scandal. In response, the PPP criticized the DP for being engrossed in rescuing its leader Lee Jae-myung from his own judicial risks. Concerns are deepening over the possibility of the regular audit going nowhere due to the two parties’ relentless political battle.

In the first day of the Public Administration and Security Committee meeting, the DP unilaterally passed a legislative order to summon the co-presidents of a construction company which had participated in the renovation of the presidential residence in Seoul. DP members endorsed the order because one of the two presidents won the bid for the renovation “thanks to his connection with the first lady.” In reaction, PPP members of the committee abruptly walked out of the room to protest the majority party’s one-sided passage of the order to summon him. In the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, a heated exchange of insults took place between both sides after the PPP criticized the procrastination of court trials on the DP leader on charges of corruption.

The legislature’s audit aims to find desirable ways for national governance by closely looking into how the government spent money over the past year. The audit also serves as the locus for the opposition to demonstrate its ability to govern the country through its careful scrutiny of government activities. But if the DP only wants to assail the first lady instead of reviewing the government’s performance, it makes a critical mistake of failing to see the big picture.

Security and economic uncertainties continue to deepen at home and abroad. The results of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election can bring about a big change in our national security. The expanding conflict in the Middle East on top of the protracted Ukraine war fuel an international crisis. If oil prices soar, it will deal a critical blow to our economy already stricken by the ever-tougher livelihoods of the people.

The medical vacuum from the massive walkout by trainee doctors eight months ago should be resolved quickly. If lawmakers keep summoning corporate leaders to their audit of the government, they can’t have the time to draw up their management strategies for next year.

The audit of the government amid all the clouds is crucial. Lawmakers must not waste time exchanging political attacks. Otherwise, all the damages will be straightly inflicted on ordinary citizens.