Chief Auditor-Nominee Accused of Abusing Power
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Kim Hwang-sik, nominee for chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), Monday denied that he abused power before taking office.
The 60-year-old is accused of influence-peddling over BAI officials' inspection of the Human Resources Development Service (HRDS) which left Kim's relative-owned company off a public bidding.
Kim also allegedly received an inappropriate tax deduction when serving as Supreme Court Justice.
Lawmakers of the largest opposition Democratic Party (DP) will likely launch a barrage of attacks in a National Assembly hearing on the nominee today.
DP legislators said the cable channel JCBN, an affiliated company of Iljin Group chaired by a brother-in-law of Kim, handed in a bid of the HRDS in June to make a program on jobs but failed to win the tender.
The broadcaster filed a formal complaint but was overruled by the HRDS.
An abrupt BAI inspection into the bidding took place July 9, two days after Kim was named BAI chief by President Lee Myung-bak, the lawmakers contended.
A DP legislator, asking to remain anonymous, said it appears that the nominee ordered the audit because the BAI's inspections of public firms were done in May.
The BAI explained it was informed that a broadcaster, which won the bidding, submitted a proposal containing some exaggerated information and made the inspection.
It said the audit was conducted in accordance with ``ordinary processes'' to clarify the information.
The BAI added Kim was neither reported nor ordered the inspection because he has yet to assume the post.
The nominee received a tax deduction for his son's seven-million-won tuition in 2006 when he served as a Supreme Court justice, according to the DP lawmaker.
Under the law, people are not allowed to receive a deduction for tuition of their children.
His son was enrolled at Eastern Washington University in the United States in 2005.
The lawmaker said it is against the law and his principles, that he received the tax exemption.
He has also invited criticism as he reportedly advocated President Lee's so-called media-control policy.
Regarding the replacement of chairman of the national broadcaster KBS, Kim claimed the administration just requested a rationalization of management and fair personnel management.
The government dismissed KBS chief Jung Yun-joo over allegations of poor management. Jung was indicted on charges of breach of trust.
The broadcaster's union and civic groups argue the ruling camp is attempting to take over the media.