To Regulate Government Officials` ``Connection to Political Circle``

It was reported yesterday that the audit and inspection government would strengthen the inspection since the phenomenon of maintaining contacts with the political circle by some of the government officials, such as the drain of various secret information, is likely to occur frequently. For instance, the police information document was handed over to the opposition party, creating a political stir.

It was also reported that the audit and inspection government, centering around the prosecution, the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea, and the Prime Minister`s Office, would strengthen the control over the government officials, based on the assessment that various cases of relaxation of the government officials` discipline are highly likely to occur during the election time beginning with the reelection of the lawmakers in three areas on 25th followed by the local election early next year, and the presidential election next year.

A government official said that ``the government continued to check the government officials` discipline. However, the government plans to strengthen the inspection since the cases of relaxation of the discipline took place, such as the recent case of the drain of documents.``

However, this official said that ``unlike the control over the government officials` bribe, golf play for the purpose of reception, and the use of the luxury leisure establishment, it is difficult to grasp the facts of the `connection to the political circle`, and it is easy to bring about another political misunderstanding and confront. Therefore, the government will take measures carefully on the matter.``

It was reported that the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea would complete the preparatory work for the inspection on the government officials` discipline within this year, and enforce the intensive inspection beginning either the end of this year or early next year.

Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.com