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We start at the National Assembly, where an annual parliamentary audit of the government
kicked off this Tuesday. Over the next 20 days,... lawmakers will question
officials from a record 6-hundred-72 government offices and agencies.
But as our Ji Myung-kil reports,... there are concerns parliament is not as prepared
as it should be. Twelve of 16 parliamentary standing committees
got started with their audits of government offices this Tuesday.
The foreign affairs committee in its questioning urged the government to prepare thoroughly
for high-level talks with North Korea that are slated to take place in the coming weeks.
Regarding the possible lifting of economic sanctions that were imposed on Pyongyang after
its attack on the South Korean warship Cheonan in 2010,... the committee called on the government
to be flexible for the sake of bettering cross-border relations.
The defense committee focused on the possible deployment of an American anti-missile defense
shield in the South to deter ballistic missile threats from North Korea.
The public administration committee criticized the government′s botched initial response
to the deadly Sewol-ho ferry tragedy and asked whether dismantling the Korea Coast Guard
and the National Emergency Management Agency was an appropriate follow-up measure.
But the lack of preparation caused by the months-long political standoff has raised
doubts about whether the audit will fulfill its purpose.
"The parliamentary audit should not be seen as political theater. Lawmakers should refrain
from scolding and humiliating witnesses." "Fifty-three government agencies are subject
to inspection today. But some standing committees are already facing problems, with absent witnesses
and a lack of cooperation from the ruling Saenuri Party."
In Korea, a parliamentary audit of the government takes place every year.
The ruling party usually puts more emphasis on recommending improvements to the government
offices that are being audited, while the main opposition party usually focuses more
on pointing out the missteps of the incumbent government.
Ji Myung-kil, Arirang News.