South Korea's Board of Audit to Conduct Pre-Election Inspection of Civil Servants

The Board of Audit and Inspection announced it will launch a special inspection next week to ensure public servants remain faithful to their duties, including maintaining political neutrality. The inspection occurs ahead of nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3. The three-week inspection is set to begin on Tuesday and will run through the eve of the June 3 local elections.

It will be conducted in cooperation with audit agencies of local governments and the interior ministry, Yonhap reported. The inspection will focus on ensuring political neutrality of civil servants. It will check for deviations such as unnecessary business trips overseas, leaving workplaces without permission and other lapses in discipline.

"We're going to deal sternly with corruption cases, including election law violations, the execution of unnecessary pork-barrel budgets and contracts, and the awarding of business favors, regardless of the ranks of those involved," the Board of Audit and Inspection stated.

The agency said it will deal sternly with such cases no matter the ranks of those involved. South Korea holds local elections every four years to elect provincial governors, mayors and local councilors.

Yonhap reported the state auditor will examine any lapses that could undermine the integrity of the upcoming vote.